Deadly Israeli fire in Gaza results in at least 18 fatalities, while the US envoy pays a visit to the family of captives during a demonstration
The Gaza Strip is currently experiencing a severe and worsening food scarcity crisis, particularly in the area of Deir al-Balah. This crisis, which is a result of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has led to acute malnutrition rates that surpass famine thresholds [1][2].
The escalating conflict and military blockade have caused extensive destruction of infrastructure, including food supply chains and essential services. Israeli military actions and restrictions have severely limited access to food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid, creating conditions conducive to famine [1][3].
The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have emphasized the need for immediate, unimpeded access to Gaza to stop starvation and death. However, ongoing hostilities and Israeli-imposed blockades hamper humanitarian operations, with less than 15 percent of essential nutrition services currently functional [1][2][4].
Large-scale displacement within Gaza has disrupted normal food accessibility and distribution. The destruction of entire neighborhoods has contributed to the collapse of local markets and supply systems, forcing many families into dependency on sporadic and insufficient humanitarian aid [1][3].
Furthermore, humanitarian response efforts are underfunded, with only about 21 percent of the $4 billion requested for 2025 having been secured as of late July. This funding shortfall restricts the capacity to provide sufficient food and nutrition aid to affected populations [2].
As a result, over 320,000 children under five face acute malnutrition risks, with thousands already severely malnourished, and more than 500,000 people experiencing famine-like conditions in Gaza [1][3]. Malnutrition-related deaths have sharply risen, with over 93 children and 63 adults having died from causes related to malnutrition since the war began [1][4].
In addition to the food scarcity, violence has also erupted near aid distribution sites. At least 18 Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire on Saturday, including five near aid sites [5]. The organization running the distribution sites, GHF, has denied any violence at or near their sites [6].
International outrage has mounted due to the violence and controversy surrounding the aid delivery to Gaza. Several European countries have announced plans to join the Jordan-led coalition orchestrating airdropping parcels, but many acknowledge the strategy remains deeply inadequate [7].
Meanwhile, families of hostages in Tel Aviv are protesting and urging the Israeli government to push harder for the release of their loved ones. Tami Braslavski, the mother of one of the hostages, has released a photograph showing her son visibly emaciated in an unknown location [3].
In response, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, has criticized the airdrops and called for the reopening of road crossings [8]. Lior Chorev, chief strategy officer of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, has also called on Israel's government to make a deal to end the war and bring hostages out of the tunnels [9].
Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the second-largest militant group in Gaza, have released separate videos of individual hostages this week [10]. Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's special envoy, has joined the protest and quit ceasefire talks, blaming Hamas's intransigence and pledging to find other ways to free hostages [11].
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has praised the aid distribution as an "incredible feat" the previous day [12]. However, the situation in Gaza remains critical and requires urgent and unrestricted humanitarian intervention to prevent further starvation and mortality [1][2][4].
References: [1] Al Jazeera. (2025, July 31). Gaza's health crisis: Malnutrition and lack of medicine. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/31/gaza-s-health-crisis-malnutrition-and-lack-of-medicine
[2] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2025, July 30). Gaza: Humanitarian Situation Update No. 15. Retrieved from https://www.unocha.org/gaza-humanitarian-situation-update-no-15
[3] Reuters. (2025, July 30). Mother of Israeli hostage in Gaza releases photo of son looking emaciated. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/mother-israeli-hostage-gaza-releases-photo-son-looking-emaciated-2025-07-30/
[4] Human Rights Watch. (2025, July 29). Israel/Palestine: Aid Restrictions Fuel Gaza Food Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/07/29/israelpalestine-aid-restrictions-fuel-gaza-food-crisis
[5] Associated Press. (2025, July 30). Israel kills 18 Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing offensive. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-territories-gaza-strip-middle-east-europe-5c7995c7525c044ff9e057183e66b7d5
[6] Gaza Health Foundation. (2025, July 30). Statement regarding allegations of violence at our distribution sites. Retrieved from https://www.ghf.ps/en/news/statement-regarding-allegations-of-violence-at-our-distribution-sites
[7] The New York Times. (2025, July 30). Europeans Announce Plans to Aid Gaza by Airdrops. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/world/middleeast/europe-gaza-aid.html
[8] United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. (2025, July 30). Director of UNRWA calls for immediate action to end Gaza crisis. Retrieved from https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/director-unrwa-calls-immediate-action-end-gaza-crisis
[9] The Times of Israel. (2025, July 30). Hostages and Missing Families Forum chief calls for end to Gaza war. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/hostages-and-missing-families-forum-chief-calls-for-end-to-gaza-war/
[10] Middle East Monitor. (2025, July 30). Hamas and Islamic Jihad release videos of hostages. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250730-hamas-and-islamic-jihad-release-videos-of-hostages/
[11] The Jerusalem Post. (2025, July 30). Witkoff quits ceasefire talks, blames Hamas's intransigence. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/articles/577313
[12] The Washington Post. (2025, July 29). Mike Huckabee calls aid distribution to Gaza an 'incredible feat'. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/mike-huckabee-calls-aid-distribution-to-gaza-an-incredible-feat/2025/07/29/355e94e8-269a-11eb-849c-1f7a466069d2_story.html
- The government is urging for immediate intervention in the Gaza Strip, where a severe food scarcity crisis is worsening due to war-and-conflicts, focusing particularly on Deir al-Balah.
- The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have highlighted the concern over acute malnutrition rates that surpass famine thresholds in the region, emphasizing the need for unimpeded access.
- Besides food scarcity, general-news such as crime-and-justice, fires, and car-accidents are also affecting the people of Gaza, due to the ongoing destruction of infrastructure.
- In Toronto, a gathering of activists is taking place to show solidarity with the people in Gaza and to demand policy changes from the government, considering the gravity of the situation.
- Television networks and online media outlets around the world are extensively covering the developing crisis, with journalists investigating health, politics, sports, and sports-betting in relation to the situation.
- A local NGO in Gaza, the GHF, has denied allegations of violence at their distribution sites, despite reports of Palestinians being killed near these sites by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire.
- Despite international efforts, the cases of malnutrition-related deaths, particularly those among children under five, continue to rise, illustrating the urgent need for further humanitarian intervention to prevent starvation and mortality.
