At least 63 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza on Saturday as Israeli forces pushed deeper into Gaza City, according to medical officials and local reports.
Al Jazeera Arabic released footage showing Israeli tanks advancing into the Sabra neighborhood, near the Zeitoun district, which has faced heavy bombardment over the past week. Gaza City’s al-Ahli Hospital reported that a child was among those killed in the latest strikes on Sabra.
In southern Gaza, artillery fire hit tents sheltering displaced families in the Asdaa area northwest of Khan Younis, killing 16 people, including six children, medical officials said.
Throughout the day, at least 22 Palestinians were killed while seeking humanitarian aid, according to health authorities. Witnesses said Israeli forces shot dead one person near a distribution point southeast of Khan Younis along the so-called Morag axis and another near the Israeli-controlled Netzarim Corridor.
Starvation deaths and famine declaration
Palestinian health authorities said eight more people, including two children, died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 281 since the war began nearly two years ago. The Health Ministry said 114 of the victims were children.
“The famine is silently ravaging the bodies of civilians, depriving children of their right to life, and turning tents and hospitals into daily scenes of tragedy,” Gaza health director Munir al-Bursh said on social media.
The United Nations on Friday officially declared a famine in Gaza — the first such designation in the Middle East — warning that 500,000 people face “catastrophic” hunger. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called it a “man-made disaster” and accused Israel of systematically obstructing aid deliveries.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitor, reported that 514,000 people, nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population, are already experiencing famine. It projected that number could rise to 641,000 by the end of September.
Reporting from Deir el-Balah, Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary said Palestinians had endured severe hunger for months. “The UN famine report has been very late, according to Palestinians,” she said.
