On Saturday, Israel announced its intentions to relocate Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza as preparations intensify for a military offensive in some of the territory's most densely populated areas. The military body responsible for humanitarian aid to Gaza, known as COGAT, confirmed that the supply of tents to the region would resume on Sunday. While the military has refrained from commenting on the timeline for the mass movement of Palestinians, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated via social media that “we are now in the stage of discussions to finalize the plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza.”
In the backdrop of these developments, families of Israeli hostages are expressing their anxiety and frustration. They have called for a “nationwide day of stoppage” in Israel on Sunday, reflecting the growing discontent over 22 months of ongoing conflict. The families are particularly concerned that the impending military offensive could further jeopardize the safety of the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, of whom only 20 are believed to be alive.
Recent harrowing videos showing emaciated hostages pleading for help have horrified both families and the public. The families and various supporters are pressuring the government for a resolution to end the war, echoing calls made by some former Israeli military and intelligence leaders. A representative group for the families has urged citizens to take to the streets on Sunday, stating, “Across the country, hundreds of citizen-led initiatives will pause daily life and join the most just and moral struggle: the struggle to bring all 50 hostages home.”
Among those voicing their concerns is Dana Silberman Sitton, whose sister and nephews were killed in captivity. She recently spoke at a weekly rally in Tel Aviv alongside Pushpa Joshi, the sister of kidnapped Nepalese hostage Bipin Joshi. “I miss my best friend,” Joshi lamented, capturing the emotional toll this crisis has taken on families.
In another devastating incident, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza resulted in the deaths of a baby girl and her parents, as confirmed by officials from Nasser Hospital and eyewitnesses. Motasem al-Batta, his wife, and their infant daughter were killed in their tent in the densely populated Muwasi area. “Two and a half months, what has she done?” neighbor Fathi Shubeir questioned, highlighting the civilian toll amidst soaring temperatures in the region.
The Israeli military has stated that it cannot comment on the strike without further details but maintains that it is focused on dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities while taking precautions to avoid civilian casualties. Muwasi is among the heavily populated areas where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the military offensive will expand, including Gaza City and central camps like Nuseirat and Bureij.
In a grim report from Gaza, the Health Ministry announced an additional 11 deaths related to malnutrition over the past 24 hours, including one child. This brings the total number of malnutrition-related deaths during the conflict to 251. The United Nations has issued warnings that starvation and malnutrition levels in Gaza are at their highest since the onset of the war.
Palestinians are facing dire conditions, with contaminated water supplies contributing to the spread of diseases. Meanwhile, discussions regarding the mass relocation of people from Gaza continue among some Israeli leaders. A 20-year-old Palestinian woman, described as being in a “state of severe physical deterioration,” died after being transferred from Gaza to Italy for medical treatment.
The U.N. and its partners face significant challenges in delivering food and other humanitarian aid to the over 2 million people in Gaza, compounded by Israeli restrictions and the pressure from crowds of desperate Palestinians. The U.N. human rights office reports that at least 1,760 people have been killed while seeking aid since May 27, with nearly 1,000 fatalities occurring near non-U.N. militarized sites.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with approximately 1,200 Israelis killed in the Hamas-led attack in October 2023 and an estimated 61,897 deaths reported in Gaza during Israel's retaliatory offensive, according to the Health Ministry. This ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals and is considered a reliable source for casualty figures, despite Israel's disputes regarding these numbers.
