Gaza Conflict Escalates

• Israeli Military Action: At least 57 people have been killed in Gaza, with 45 of them dying while seeking aid.
• Humanitarian Crisis: The Israeli government has permitted five countries to airdrop limited aid supplies into Gaza. However, this effort appears to be a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of need.

West Bank Violence

• Settler Attack: A 17-year-old Palestinian boy was killed, and seven others injured, during an Israeli settler attack in Aqraba, south of Nablus.
• Hamas Response: Hamas has called for an uprising in the West Bank in response to the attack.

Starvation Crisis

• Death Toll: Seven more people, including one child, have died from starvation, bringing the total to 169, with 93 of them being children.
• Humanitarian Situation: The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with thousands facing hunger and a severe shortage of aid.

Hamas Stance

• Resistance: Hamas has stated that it will not disarm and will continue its "resistance" activities until a Palestinian state is established.

Israeli Protests

• Public Outcry: Over 60,000 Israelis have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv, calling for a comprehensive deal to secure the release of captives.

Source: Al Jazeera.

Gaza’s Health Ministry states that remaining operational hospitals – including al-Shifa, al-Rantisi, Nasser and al-Ahli Arab – are operating far beyond capacity, with patients now being treated in corridors and on floors.

The ministry has issued a renewed urgent appeal to the international community and humanitarian organisations for immediate support, citing the imminent collapse of Gaza’s healthcare sector.

Source: Ministry of Health, Gaza

Witness accounts from Gaza allege Israeli forces opened fire on aid seekers near distribution sites operated by Global Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Near the Netzarim Corridor, Yahia Youssef described scenes of chaos, reporting multiple gunshot wounds amongst those attempting to receive assistance. Health workers confirm at least eight fatalities at that location.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) state they discharged warning shots in response to a gathering approaching their position.

Separate reports from the Shakoush area of Rafah indicate at least two further deaths. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis is reportedly treating numerous wounded individuals alongside the received bodies.

Witness Mohammed Abu Taha claims Israeli troops fired directly into the crowds, observing three people shot as he escaped the area.

Source: Al Jazeera

Hamas’ Qassam Brigades have released a deeply disturbing four-minute video depicting Israeli captive Evyatar David. This follows an initial, brief clip shared yesterday, and marks a significant intensification of the group’s messaging.

The footage, which has been widely circulated, presents a visibly weakened David, seemingly held within a confined tunnel environment. According to Al Jazeera, which first reported the release, David states the date as July 27th, a prolonged period of captivity stretching back to his abduction from the Nova music festival on October 2023.

David’s testimony paints a grim picture of deprivation. He speaks candidly about the scarcity of sustenance, lamenting, “I don’t know what I’m going to eat today… I haven’t eaten in days… I’ve barely got drinking water.” A calendar displayed within the video reportedly details his food intake during July, revealing alternating days of meagre rations – lentils or beans – and complete abstinence.

The most unsettling moment comes when David holds a shovel, delivering the stark pronouncement: "What I’m doing now is digging my own grave… This is the grave where I think I’m going to be buried.” The video concludes with a superimposed message: “Only a ceasefire agreement brings them back alive.”

This release comes despite condemnation from David’s family, who previously denounced the earlier video as a manipulative attempt to exert pressure through a “disgusting hunger campaign.” 

Germany has reiterated its concern over the severely limited flow of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, describing the current situation as "critically inadequate." Despite acknowledging minor improvements in recent days, Berlin maintains that the volume of aid entering the Gaza Strip remains far short of what is needed to address the ongoing emergency, reported by Al Jazeera.

Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, in a statement released earlier today, highlighted that whilst some initial progress has been observed, “the overall delivery remains very insufficient to alleviate the emergency situation.” He underscored Israel's ongoing responsibility to guarantee the unimpeded delivery of essential supplies.

The statement represents a continued escalation in Germany’s public commentary regarding the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Berlin’s recent decision to conduct airdrops – marking the first instance of such assistance – further underscores the growing pressure on Israel to facilitate significantly increased aid access. This position is notable given Germany’s longstanding and robust alliance with Israel.

A British doctor, Nada Al Hadithy, has delivered a stark and deeply concerning account of conditions in Gaza, detailing widespread suffering, a deteriorating humanitarian situation, and alleging a targeted drone attack on a colleague's family. Her testimony follows a visit by Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, to a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution site in Rafah, highlighting the complex and often dangerous environment surrounding aid delivery.

Al Hadithy, recently returned from Gaza, described a rapidly worsening situation, citing “a tangible difference in the amount of starvation and the emaciation of our patients," and a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of bombings. "People are blown up in their tents," she stated, referring to what she described as “green zones” – areas supposedly safe from attack.

Allegations of Targeted Drone Attack

Perhaps the most disturbing element of Al Hadithy's account is her allegation that a drone followed a medical colleague home and targeted his family while they slept. According to eyewitness testimony from fellow medical workers, the drone "waited until he was in his tent and greeted his three children and killed all of them." This accusation, if verified, raises serious questions about potential deliberate targeting of civilians and medical personnel.

Humanitarian Crisis and Aid Delivery Risks

The doctor's description paints a grim picture of a population facing acute starvation and lacking essential medical supplies. The sheer density of people in Gaza – approximately two million within an area comparable to the English city of Exeter – exacerbates the crisis.

The visit by Steve Witkoff and Mike Huckabee, intended to assess the humanitarian situation and facilitate aid delivery, underscores the challenges involved. Reports indicate Witkoff did not meet with UN officials during his visit. However, the delivery of aid is fraught with risk, with hundreds of Palestinians having reportedly been killed while attempting to access distribution sites since May, and reports of armed contractors involved in the GHF's operations raising concerns about the legitimacy and safety of aid distribution.

Contextualizing the Conflict

The current crisis is rooted in the ongoing conflict sparked by Hamas-led militants’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals. Israel’s subsequent military offensive has, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, resulted in over 60,000 Palestinian deaths, though precise casualty figures are difficult to independently verify due to the ongoing hostilities. The disparity in fatalities, and the question of civilian casualties on both sides, remains a key source of international concern.

The Role of the US and the UN

The decision by Steve Witkoff to visit Gaza and focus on direct aid delivery, bypassing established channels like the UN, has drawn scrutiny. The lack of engagement with UN officials further complicates the situation, potentially hindering coordinated humanitarian efforts. The US’s continued support of Israel and its involvement in aid distribution require careful consideration and transparency.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has been approached for comment on Al Hadithy’s allegations and the broader humanitarian situation.

A Palestinian mother, Aber Sobh, has described her desperate situation in Gaza, stating she is considering suicide due to the ongoing conflict and lack of food. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Sobh, a displaced mother of six living in a seaside tent camp near Gaza City, explained that she often searches for aid at Zikim crossing point, often returning empty-handed due to competition with men.

"I am tired. I am no longer able," she said. "If the war goes on, I am thinking of taking my life. I no longer have any strength or power."

Sobh described a daily struggle for basic necessities, often relying on the charity of others to feed her family. She often feels dizzy and weak from searching.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

France has suspended all evacuations from Gaza following the emergence of alledged antisemitic social media posts by a Palestinian student recently admitted to the country.

The move follows the revelation that 25-year-old Nour Atallah, a student at Sciences Po Lille, posted content deemed antisemitic prior to her arrival in France.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the suspension in Paris, stating the student "does not have a place in France" and must leave the country. He did not specify whether she would be returned to Gaza.

All new visa applications and admissions from Gaza are now on hold pending an investigation. A review of previously evacuated individuals is also underway.

French authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the posts, citing potential justification of terrorism and crimes against humanity.

The incident has prompted strong reactions from across the French political spectrum, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau calling for legal action.

Since October, France has evacuated over 500 people from Gaza. 

Photos from Al-Jazeera: