Israeli gunfire and airstrikes killed 40 Palestinians on Monday, including 10 seeking aid near U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites. This continues a pattern of violence that has claimed 1,373+ aid-seekers since May, most shot by Israeli forces near GHF distribution points. Survivor Bilal Thari lamented: "Everyone who goes there comes back with flour, as a martyr, or injured. No one returns safe". The attacks occurred despite Israel’s claims of "warning shots" and GHF denials of targeting civilians.
Five more Palestinians died of starvation Monday, raising famine-related deaths to 180 since October, including 93 children. Hospitals report infants "without muscles or fat tissue, just skin over bone". UN agencies confirm Israel’s blockade has triggered a "worst-case scenario famine," with 500,000+ facing catastrophic hunger due to deliberately restricted calories. Israel’s own data reveals it allowed less than 25% of Gaza’s minimum food needs between March-June, weaponizing starvation as policy.
While Israel touts 1,200 aid trucks entering last week, UN officials note this meets only 20% of daily requirements. COGAT’s airdrops are condemned as "costly, inefficient theater" that cannot reverse famine. Meanwhile, Israel blocks 6,000 UN trucks at borders and forces dangerous aid routes where snipers target crowds. The GHF model with only four distribution points for 2 million people creates "death traps" enabling mass shootings.
With 60,000+ Palestinians killed and 90% displaced, Gaza’s health system nears total collapse. Netanyahu’s planned security cabinet talks ignore ceasefire demands, prioritizing military objectives over hostages’ lives. Only 20 of 50 remaining captives are believed alive, with Hamas releasing videos showing emaciated hostages like Evyatar David forced to dig their own graves. Palestinian calls for dignity; "We want peace, not war" echo amid global inaction.