• Death toll in Gaza surpasses 61,700 as Israeli conflicts escalate.
• Over 239 reported deaths from starvation, including 106 children.
• UNRWA reports widespread malnutrition among children in Gaza.
• Many casualties occur while seeking humanitarian aid amidst blockades.
• International Criminal Court has issued war crime warrants against Israeli leaders.

As of Thursday, the death toll in Gaza has reached at least 61,776, with reports indicating that over 154,906 individuals have been injured since the conflict began in October 2023, according to the Health Ministry. Recent strikes have claimed the lives of 22 people while they were attempting to secure humanitarian aid, bringing the total death toll of aid seekers to 1,881. The Ministry detailed ongoing struggles to access victims trapped beneath rubble due to ongoing violence and blockades by Israeli forces, according to AA and AA.

Recent reports indicate that a total of 239 individuals have succumbed to starvation and malnutrition, with the number including 106 children since the onslaught began. The severity of the humanitarian crisis has led to critical shortages of food and medical supplies, compounded by Israel’s continuous blockade. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UNRWA, has highlighted this distressing reality and condemned the deaths stemming from hunger, stating, “Children are children,” stressing the need for the international community to take action, according to TRT World and Al Jazeera.

Amid these rising figures, Israel’s military operations have not shown signs of abating. Thousands of humanitarian aid trucks remain stranded at borders, with the number permitted into Gaza being inadequate to meet the needs of its millions of residents facing starvation. Reports indicate that 600 trucks daily are required just to meet minimum food and medical needs. However, only a fraction of this is being delivered, contributing to increasing fatalities among vulnerable populations, as highlighted in articles by AA and AA.

The Israeli government faces criticism not only domestically but also internationally, particularly following the issuance of arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by the International Criminal Court for allegations of war crimes. Moreover, a genocide case against Israel is currently pending at the International Court of Justice, reinforcing the urgent calls for accountability, according to AA.