Israel announced preparations to relocate Palestinians from combat zones in northern and central Gaza to the south as part of an upcoming military offensive. The Israeli body overseeing humanitarian aid, COGAT, said it would resume supplying tents to the territory. Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the government is finalizing plans aimed at defeating Hamas, though no timeline was given for the relocations or the offensive itself.
Hostage Families Demand Nationwide Protests As Fears Mount Over Lives In Gaza
The families of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza are increasingly alarmed by the looming offensive, fearing it could endanger the 50 captives, of whom only 20 are believed alive. Recent videos showing emaciated hostages pleading for food have deepened public concern. Some former military and intelligence officials have echoed calls for a ceasefire or deal, arguing that continued fighting puts the hostages at greater risk.
In response, relatives of hostages have called for a nationwide “day of stoppage,” urging Israelis to halt daily life in protest. They describe their campaign as a moral struggle to bring the captives home. At rallies in Tel Aviv and elsewhere, family members from both Israeli and foreign hostages shared emotional appeals. Their message has begun to resonate across parts of Israeli society, though the government remains focused on its military strategy.
Civilian Deaths Rise As Gaza Faces Hunger, Disease, And Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
Inside Gaza, civilian casualties continue to mount. An Israeli airstrike on Saturday killed a baby girl and her parents in the supposedly safe Muwasi area, sparking outrage among neighbors. Additional deaths were reported from shelling in northern Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the offensive will widen to heavily populated areas, including Gaza City and central refugee camps, raising fears of mass civilian losses in the weeks ahead.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated sharply. The Health Ministry reported 11 new deaths from malnutrition in just 24 hours, bringing the total to 251 since the conflict began. The UN warns of extreme hunger, contaminated water, and the rapid spread of disease as aid deliveries remain restricted and often chaotic.
Nearly 1,800 people have been killed while trying to access food aid since late May. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 61,000 Palestinians have died since the war began, nearly half of them women and children. Israel disputes these figures but has not provided its own.
