Israeli Strikes in Gaza Leave 16 Dead, Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

At least 16 people have been killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza, as the territory's civil defence agency reported, amidst an intensifying military offensive by Israel. Despite aid agencies warning of a severe humanitarian crisis, driven by malnutrition and famine, the Israeli government has maintained a blockade on humanitarian aid. The Palestinian population is facing extreme conditions, with food aid expected to start reaching Gaza this week, after nearly three months of blockade.

Key Takeaways:

• The death toll of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces has reached nearly 70 in less than 48 hours, after 52 people were killed on Thursday.
• The Israeli army has targeted "military compounds, weapons storage facilities, and sniper posts" in Gaza, while striking over 75 terror targets throughout the territory.
• UN agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent have warned of famine after more than three months of an Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid.
• Food aid is expected to start reaching Palestinians in Gaza this week after Israel began allowing limited goods through, with 107 aid trucks carrying flour, food, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals transferred into the strip.
• Over 9,000 children have been treated for malnutrition in Gaza this year, and up to 71,000 children under the age of five are expected to be "acutely malnourished" over the next 11 months.
• Israel imposed the blockade on all supplies in March, and aid agencies and many governments have said a humanitarian crisis already exists.

Statistics:

• At least 16 people have been killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza.
• The death toll of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces has reached nearly 70 in less than 48 hours.
• Over 9,000 children have been treated for malnutrition in Gaza this year.
• Up to 71,000 children under the age of five are expected to be "acutely malnourished" over the next 11 months.

Sources:

• The Israeli army said that over the past day its forces had attacked "military compounds, weapons storage facilities, and sniper posts" in Gaza.
• UN agencies have warned of famine after more than three months of an Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid.
• The Palestinian Red Crescent has warned of famine after more than three months of an Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid.
• The Israeli government has maintained a blockade on humanitarian aid despite international pressure to lift it.
• The US could deliver aid to Gaza through private companies according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans.