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Palestinian Arabs

Gaza on Brink of Famine as Pope Calls for Ceasefire

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Gaza Strip is on the brink of famine, with over 313 people, including 119 children, dying from hunger since the war began and Israel intensified its siege on the Palestinian territory. Pope Leo XIV has issued a plea for a ceasefire, saying that Israel must stop its "collective punishment" of the population. Despite this, Israeli tanks have rolled into the outskirts of Gaza City, destroying houses and displacing residents.

Key Takeaways:

  • Since the war began, 313 people, including 119 children, have died from hunger in Gaza.
  • Pope Leo XIV has called for a ceasefire, saying that Israel must stop its "collective punishment" of the population.
  • Israeli tanks have rolled into Gaza City, destroying houses and displacing residents.
  • The Israeli military claims to have killed a senior Hamas member, Mahmoud al-Aswad, who was the militia's head of intelligence for west Gaza.
  • Israel plans to launch a new offensive in Gaza City, regardless of whether a ceasefire is reached.
  • The city of Gaza has become densely populated during the war, with over one million people currently living there, including half of the population of Gaza.
  • Humanitarians have warned that mass forced displacement of people from Gaza City would exacerbate already dismal humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
  • The Israeli military has published evacuation orders over the last 22 months in Gaza, displacing much of the population.

Statistics:

  • 313 people, including 119 children, have died from hunger since the war began and Israel intensified its siege on Gaza.
  • 62,895 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza war over the last 22 months, according to Gaza's health ministry.
  • Over 80% of Gaza is designated as an Israeli military zone or subject to displacement orders, the UN said in June.
  • 1,200 people killed by Hamas-led militants in October 2023 were the trigger for the Israeli war in Gaza.

Sources:

  • Pope Leo XIV
  • Gaza health authorities
  • UN-backed monitoring body
  • Israeli military
  • Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
  • US state department
  • Fox News
  • Israeli media

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