Gaza — Intense Israeli bombardment and gunfire in Gaza claimed at least 116 lives in just 24 hours, as civilians, including infants and children, perished amid a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. Among them, 38 people died while queuing for food outside UN aid distribution centres, turning these lifelines into “death traps” ﹘ as reported by the Madhyamam .
A heartbreaking case emerged from Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where a 35-day-old infant died of malnutrition, her body succumbing to starvation while conditions worsened, hospital director Dr. Mohammed Abu Salamiya confirmed .
These deaths are a stark reminder of the dire conditions in Gaza, where 17,000 children reportedly suffer from acute malnutrition, and emergency wards across hospitals are operating at full capacity . The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation estimates that 900 people have been killed at food distribution points since the conflict intensified .
Despite the ongoing violence, Gaza students sat for their secondary school exams on Saturday — the first such academic exercise since the war erupted in October 2023 — with 1,500 candidates taking part using “special software,” according to the Gaza Education Department .
Spokesman Abu Obeida of Hamas’s military wing stated that an Israeli government rejection of a proposed ceasefire and hostage exchange — which would have included the simultaneous release of all captives — has derailed peace efforts . This collapse in negotiations has paved the way for continued military offensives and deepened civilian suffering.
