Thousands of Palestinians are escaping the devastation in Gaza City due to relentless Israeli military strikes, while tensions escalate in Israel with public protests against occupation strategies.
**Desperate Exodus in Gaza Amid Intensifying Israeli Assaults as Protests Erupt in Israel**
**Desperate Exodus in Gaza Amid Intensifying Israeli Assaults as Protests Erupt in Israel**
As Palestinian residents flee Gaza City under bombardments, Israelis rally against government plans for further occupation.
In a dramatic escalation, thousands of residents have fled Gaza City’s southern Zeitoun neighborhood as intense Israeli attacks have led to a “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis, according to local officials cited by the BBC. The Gaza civil defense agency reported at least 40 fatalities from air strikes across the region on Saturday. The Israeli military announced it would allow aid agencies to bring tents and supplies into Gaza again, as part of a controversial plan to forcibly move a million people from Gaza City to camps in the south.
In Israel, a general strike is set to occur on Sunday, protesting against the government’s plan to occupy Gaza City, which has been perceived by some as putting the lives of hostages in Hamas’s custody in jeopardy. Last week, Israel's war cabinet approved a strategy to occupy Gaza City, emphasizing the urgency through the United Nations Security Council.
The Israeli military, which has begun preparations for the displacement of civilians from combat zones to the southern region, acknowledged the gross condition of the humanitarian situation. An official from the Gaza City municipality reported that the continuous air strikes had already displaced many residents, with around 50,000 affected in Zeitoun.
Locals like Ghassan Kashko voiced their anguish, describing relentless explosions and a lack of basic necessities: “We don’t know the taste of sleep,” he explained. The humanitarian crisis worsens with reports showing that 80% of Gaza City’s infrastructure has suffered from prolonged bombardments, while hospitals are struggling with inadequate supplies and limited operational capacity.
According to UN estimates, nearly 1.9 million Palestinians—about 90% of Gaza's population—have been displaced. The organization has raised alarms regarding widespread malnutrition, indicating that a severe food crisis is emerging. Recent reports underline the grim reality, with malnutrition claimed to have resulted in 251 fatalities, including 108 children.
In a particularly tragic case, a 20-year-old Gazan woman, Marah Abu Zuhri, recently evacuated to Italy for treatment, died from severe malnutrition shortly after arrival. This incident draws attention to the ongoing struggle against starvation in Gaza, prompting international calls for humanitarian assistance, with recent statements from various nations urging decisive action to mitigate the worsening crisis.
Despite claims from the Israeli authorities that starvation is not occurring, the humanitarian community points to difficulties in delivering aid, as thousands of civilians have reportedly died, many while waiting in line for food. The significant loss of life stems from both military engagements and famished conditions exacerbated by the ongoing conflict that erupted following Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths.
As developments unfold regarding Israeli plans to take control of Gaza City and the ongoing humanitarian disaster, the situation remains dire, with critical need for dialogue and international intervention to resolve both the violence and the humanitarian crisis.
