• Seven more Gazans die from starvation, totaling 154 malnutrition deaths since October.
• Ongoing Israeli blockade worsens humanitarian crisis; only a fraction of needed aid is allowed.
• More than 70 aid seekers have reportedly been killed by Israeli forces during aid distribution.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, seven more Palestinians died from starvation in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, bringing the total malnutrition-related fatalities since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023 to 154, including 89 children. The health ministry emphasized the increasing severity of the crisis, stating that the situation is dire with significant portions of the population suffering from famine and malnutrition, according to aa and bbc.

The United Nations has warned that humanitarian aid entering Gaza is drastically insufficient to meet the needs of its 2.4 million residents. The UN estimates that a minimum of 500 aid trucks per day is required, yet recent reports state as few as 269 trucks entered in a span of four days. This insufficient aid is compounded by a choking blockade sustained by Israel since March 2023, which Palestinian officials claim has led to desperation among civilians, according to aljazeera and bbc.

The deterioration in conditions has led to violent incidents surrounding aid distribution sites. Recent reports indicate that at least 71 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access humanitarian aid amidst Israeli military operations. A significant death toll occurred as people gathered at aid distribution points, illustrating the desperate plight of those seeking food and medical supplies, as highlighted by aljazeera and aa.

Gaza faces an expanding humanitarian crisis as many residents report going days without food. Families in desperate situations often resort to looting aid supplies, a tragic indication of the extreme hunger and poverty that predominates in the region. Human rights organizations have expressed concern over the rising death toll, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly, as conditions worsen under the ongoing military offensive and blockade, according to aljazeera and bbc.