Gaza, July 27 (V7N) – Despite Israel’s announcement of a “strategic pause” in its military operations in parts of the Gaza Strip, airstrikes and attacks have continued, resulting in at least 15 Palestinian deaths since early Sunday morning.

The Israeli military declared the pause in al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, starting Sunday (July 27), citing humanitarian purposes as the reason for the temporary halt in fighting.

However, Palestinian health authorities report that the so-called pause has not prevented further bloodshed. On Saturday (July 26) alone, at least 71 Palestinians were killed, 42 of them civilians who were waiting for humanitarian aid. Additionally, five people died from starvation between Saturday and Sunday morning.

The Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid has intensified the already dire situation in Gaza, triggering a severe hunger crisis. Aid agencies have warned that the entire population is at risk of famine, with children dying daily from malnutrition and preventable diseases.

Local journalists, many of whom are working under life-threatening conditions, have accused Western media of downplaying the severity of the crisis and obscuring evidence of what Palestinian rights groups describe as a deliberate use of hunger as a tool of genocide.

“Israel is killing Palestinians with mercenaries in a bid to block aid,” several humanitarian organizations alleged, adding that Palestinians have been shot while trying to retrieve food from aid trucks.

The situation in Gaza's hospitals is growing increasingly grim. Doctors are overwhelmed, and many faint at the sight of severely malnourished children. “Most of the young patients have bones clearly visible through their skin,” said Nick Maynard, a volunteer doctor working in southern Gaza.

The United Nations and global aid groups have repeatedly called for unimpeded humanitarian access, but deliveries remain restricted or halted due to Israeli military operations and blockades.

As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza deepens, pressure is mounting on the international community to act swiftly and decisively to protect civilians and ensure the flow of life-saving aid.

Source: Al Jazeera

END/RH/AJ