GAZA— The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has worsened dramatically, with 35 more Palestinians killed and 109 injured in the last 24 hours due to relentless Israeli airstrikes. The total death toll since the start of the Israeli military campaign in October 2023 has now reached 52,400 — the vast majority of them women and children — with more than 118,000 wounded.
Since early March, Israel has enforced a total blockade on the Gaza Strip, cutting off all access to food, water, fuel, and medicine. This siege has shut down community kitchens and bakeries, leaving over 420,000 people without regular meals. Food prices have skyrocketed by as much as 1,000%, forcing families to survive on one meal a day, often cooked with scraps or debris.
Nearly 3,000 aid trucks have been denied entry, worsening an already dire situation. The United Nations has warned that famine is imminent, with more than 65,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition.
As Israel continues its assault, international outrage is growing. Critics argue the blockade violates international humanitarian law and is being used as a tool of collective punishment against Gaza’s 2.3 million civilians, now enduring their 60th day under siege.