Israel to Cut Humanitarian Aid in Northern Gaza Amid Offensive Against Hamas

In a significant escalation of its offensive against Hamas, Israel is set to reduce or completely halt humanitarian aid deliveries to parts of northern Gaza, according to an undisclosed official. The move is expected to draw further international condemnation as the situation for both Palestinians and hostages trapped in Gaza deteriorates after nearly two years of conflict. The official disclosed that in the coming days, Israel would stop air drops over Gaza City and limit the number of aid trucks entering the northern region, all while preparing for the relocation of hundreds of thousands of residents to the south.

Last Friday, Israel lifted temporary pauses in fighting that allowed aid to be delivered, citing Gaza City's strong ties to Hamas and reasserting the existence of a functioning tunnel network despite prior comprehensive military operations. The United Nations has stated that the aid measures currently implemented are grossly inadequate, falling significantly short of the estimated need for 600 trucks of supplies per day.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the recovery of the remains of a hostage, Idan Shtivi, who was abducted during the initial Hamas assault on October 7, 2023. Alongside him, the remains of another hostage, Ilan Weiss, were also found. As of now, there are still 48 hostages in Gaza from a total of over 250 abducted, with Israeli officials believing that as many as 20 may still be alive. The families of these hostages are growing increasingly concerned as the military offensive escalates, fearing it will further jeopardize their loved ones’ safety. Family members have gathered to demand a ceasefire, emphasizing that the consequences of continued conflict relate not only to the hostages but also extend to governmental responsibility for potential tragedy.

Israel’s military has increased its strikes around Gaza City, which is currently experiencing extreme famine conditions as reported by global food security experts. Recent military actions led to a number of deaths, including strikes on residential areas. Amid ongoing missile strikes, the population has started to flee Gaza City, with many residents facing multiple displacements as they seek safety.

Humanitarian efforts have been severely hampered, with reports indicating that at least 332 Palestinians have succumbed to starvation and malnutrition during the conflict, including numerous children. The fatalities in Gaza since the onset of the war have reached over 63,000, according to health ministry data, which remains contested by Israel, although this ministry is deemed a reliable source for casualty statistics.