Gaza Death Toll Rises As Israel’s Offensive And Aid Blockade Intensify; Ben Gurion Airport Hit By Houthi Missile

At least 40 Palestinians were killed in the last 24 hours due to continued Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. The humanitarian situation remains dire as the Israeli blockade, now over two months old, continues to prevent the entry of essential aid.

Oxfam’s food security lead in Gaza, Mahmoud Alsaqqa, told Al Jazeera that the global community is complicit in the starvation of children in Gaza by failing to act against the blockade. He warned of the worsening crisis, stating that over 3,500 children under five are facing “imminent death by starvation,” while an estimated 290,000 are on the brink of death due to the ongoing restrictions on baby formula, nutritional supplements, and other aid.

Meanwhile, a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, injuring several people and causing flight disruptions. The attack underscores the expanding regional dimensions of the conflict.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports at least 52,535 Palestinians killed and 118,491 injured since Israel began its offensive. However, the Government Media Office places the death toll at over 61,700, noting that thousands remain buried under rubble and are presumed dead.

The war began after the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,139 people and saw more than 200 taken captive.