Israeli airstrikes killed at least 22 Palestinians overnight across the Gaza Strip, targeting Rafah, Khan Younis, and Deir al-Balah, according to local health officials.
The strikes, some near food aid distribution sites, left families among the casualties, with survivors reporting widespread panic amid collapsing buildings and burning vehicles.
The attacks intensify an already dire humanitarian crisis, with Gaza on the brink of famine. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports 162 starvation-related deaths, including 92 children, and over 1,000 fatalities since May 2025 among those attempting to access food aid. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, condemned the situation, stating, “Hunger is being weaponized in this conflict, creating a human catastrophe.”
The United Nations confirms that 93% of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents face acute food insecurity, with many surviving on leaves, animal feed, or nothing at all. Aid deliveries, though permitted in limited quantities, face frequent disruptions, with UN officials reporting civilian deaths and injuries near distribution points. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warns that without significantly improved access, mass starvation is inevitable.
Israeli authorities maintain that their operations target Hamas infrastructure, alleging militants hide among civilians. However, independent monitors highlight the disproportionate civilian toll and the collapse of Gaza’s health and aid systems. Gaza’s Health Ministry estimates over 50,000 deaths from Israel’s campaign as of August 2, 2025, with tens of thousands of civilians among them.
Hospitals are overwhelmed, clean water is scarce, and famine thresholds have been crossed. International aid groups, human rights organizations, and several Jewish-American advocacy coalitions are urging an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access. Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, described the situation as “a complete collapse of the humanitarian system,” emphasizing that “children are starving in plain sight.”
With the crisis escalating, global calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian intervention grow louder. Aid organizations stress the need for safe, consistent access to deliver food, water, and medical supplies to prevent further loss of life in Gaza’s deteriorating conditions.