Palestinians sheltering in tents or seeking scarce food aid were among at least 25 people killed by Israeli strikes and shootings on Saturday in Gaza, according to local hospitals, as the world confronted an exceptional announcement that famine is now gripping Gaza’s largest city.
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The famine determination by the world’s leading authority on food crises galvanised governments and aid groups to intensify pleas for Israel to halt its 22-month offensive on Gaza, prompted by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks. Aid groups have warned for months that the war and Israel’s restrictions on food into Gaza are causing starvation among civilians.
Israel denounced the famine declaration as lies, and the military is pressing ahead with preparations to seize Gaza City. Efforts towards a ceasefire that could forestall the offensive are on hold as mediators await Israel’s next steps.
Gaza hospitals take in new dead and wounded
Israeli strikes killed at least 14 people in the southern Gaza Strip early on Saturday, according to morgue records and health officials at Nasser Hospital. The officials said the strikes targeted tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis, which became home to hundreds of thousands who had fled from elsewhere in Gaza. More than half of the dead were women and children.
Awad Abu Agala, uncle of two children who died, said no place in Gaza is now safe.
“The entire Gaza Strip is being bombed … In the south. In the north. Everywhere,” Abu Agala said, adding that children were targeted overnight while in their tents.
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A grieving relative, Hekmat Foujo, pleaded for a truce.