Israel said it would call up to 60,000 reservists for the new offensive and other heavily populated areas of the war-torn Gaza Strip
Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City after the Israeli military launched the next stage of its ground offensive, despite widespread international condemnation.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that IDF troops had begun circling the outskirts of Gaza City as part of the first stages of its new assault.
Israeli forces have escalated shelling on Sabra and Tuffah neighbourhoods, as hundreds of Palestinians fled Zeitoun and Sabra.
Following a clash with Hamas south of Khan Younis in the strip on Wednesday, the IDF spokesman said: “We will deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organization.”
Hamas, in a statement on Telegram, accused Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the ceasefire deal in favour of continuing a “brutal war against innocent civilians in Gaza City.”
It comes as Israel said it would call up to 60,000 reservists for the new offensive and other heavily populated areas of the war-torn Gaza Strip.
More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, according to the enclave’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Photos: Palestinians queue to receive food aid in Khan Younis
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 15:00
Turkish ports require ships to declare they have no links to Israel: shipping sources
Turkish ports are informally requiring shipping agents to provide letters confirming vessels have no ties to Israel and are not carrying military or hazardous cargo bound for the country, two shipping sources were cited as saying by Reuters.
The instruction applies nationwide, though no official circular has been issued.
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 14:30
Photos: Displaced Palestinians fleeing northern Gaza, heading South following Gaza City operation
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 14:00
Watch: Aftermath of Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 13:15
Photos: Palestinians wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, in Khan Younis
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 12:49
Famine in Gaza is ‘deliberate’: UNRWA chief
Earlier, we brought you news that the head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency warned that malnourished children in Gaza could die without immediate emergency aid during Israel’s Gaza City operation.
Philippe Lazzarini has added: “It is a manufactured and fabricated famine. It is deliberate. Food has been used as an instrument of war.”
In May, a global hunger monitor said that half a million people in the Gaza Strip faced starvation but stopped short of using the term famine.
It is a manufactured and fabricated famine. It is deliberate. Food has been used as an instrument of war.
Philippe Lazzarini
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 12:45
Only 250 of expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over past 3 days: local officials
Just 250 of an expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over the past three days, Gaza’s government media office said on Telegram.
It added that “vital food items” are still being blocked, including eggs, nutritional supplements, meat, dairy products, fruit and vegetables.
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 12:30
Malnourished children may die amid Gaza City operation: UNRWA chief
The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency warned that malnourished children in Gaza could die without immediate emergency aid during Israel’s Gaza City operation.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has said that data shows a six-fold increase in the number of children suffering from malnutrition in Gaza City since March.
“We have a population that is extremely weak that will be confronted with a new major military operation,” he told a Geneva press club meeting.
“Many will simply not have the strength to undergo a new displacement.”
“If there is no crisis plan, then they (the children suffering from malnutrition) will certainly be condemned.”
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 12:15
Two Palestinians die of starvation in last 24 hours: local officials
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry has said two Palestinians starved to death over the past 24 hours.
“This brings the total number of victims of starvation and malnutrition to 271, including 112 children,” it said in a post on Telegram.
It comes as Gaza’s government media office said just 250 of an expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over the past three days.
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 12:00
Death toll rises to 70 Palestinians in past 24 hours: local officials
At least 70 Palestinians died in the last 24 hours and a further 356 wounded people arrived at hospitals, the Hamas-run health ministry said.
Eighteen of the Palestinians who died were seeking aid, it said.
“A number of victims remain under the rubble and on the streets, as ambulance crews and civil defence teams are unable to reach them at this time,” it added in a post on Telegram.
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 11:56
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Palestinians wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, in Khan Younis
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Palestinians wait to receive food as UNRWA chief says famine in Gaza is ‘deliberate’
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Earlier, we brought you news that the head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency warned that malnourished children in Gaza could die without immediate emergency aid during Israel’s Gaza City operation.
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Philippe Lazzarini has added: “It is a manufactured and fabricated famine. It is deliberate. Food has been used as an instrument of war.”
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In May, a global hunger monitor said that half a million people in the Gaza Strip faced starvation but stopped short of using the term famine.
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It is a manufactured and fabricated famine. It is deliberate. Food has been used as an instrument of war.
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Just 250 of an expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over the past three days, Gaza’s government media office said on Telegram.
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It added that “vital food items” are still being blocked, including eggs, nutritional supplements, meat, dairy products, fruit and vegetables.
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File: Philippe Lazzarini
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The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency warned that malnourished children in Gaza could die without immediate emergency aid during Israel’s Gaza City operation.
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UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has said that data shows a six-fold increase in the number of children suffering from malnutrition in Gaza City since March.
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“We have a population that is extremely weak that will be confronted with a new major military operation,” he told a Geneva press club meeting.
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“Many will simply not have the strength to undergo a new displacement.”
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“If there is no crisis plan, then they (the children suffering from malnutrition) will certainly be condemned.”
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Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry has said two Palestinians starved to death over the past 24 hours.
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“This brings the total number of victims of starvation and malnutrition to 271, including 112 children,” it said in a post on Telegram.
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It comes as Gaza’s government media office said just 250 of an expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over the past three days.
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At least 70 Palestinians died in the last 24 hours and a further 356 wounded people arrived at hospitals, the Hamas-run health ministry said.
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Eighteen of the Palestinians who died were seeking aid, it said.
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“A number of victims remain under the rubble and on the streets, as ambulance crews and civil defence teams are unable to reach them at this time,” it added in a post on Telegram.
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