Israel has announced plans to relocate Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza as it prepares for a military offensive in densely populated areas. The Israeli military body responsible for humanitarian aid, COGAT, stated that tent supply to Gaza would resume on Sunday.
Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed on social media that "we are now in the stage of discussions to finalize the plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza." The military offered no comment on the timeline for this mass movement.
Hostage families demand action
Families of Israeli hostages have called for a "nationwide day of stoppage" across Israel on Sunday, expressing growing frustration over 22 months of war. They fear the coming offensive further endangers the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, with only 20 thought to still be alive.
"I want to believe that there is hope, and it will not come from above, it will come only from us," said Dana Silberman Sitton, sister of hostage Shiri Bibas. The families were horrified by recent videos showing emaciated hostages speaking under duress and pleading for help.
"I miss my best friend," said Pushpa Joshi, sister of kidnapped Nepalese hostage Bipin Joshi. The families have pressed the government for a deal to stop the war, a call echoed by former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs.
Civilians killed in "safe" area
An Israeli airstrike killed a baby girl and her parents on Saturday in the crowded Muwasi area, designated as safe by Israeli forces. Motasem al-Batta, his wife and their daughter died in their tent as temperatures soared above 32 degrees Celsius.
"Two and a half months, what has she done?" asked neighbour Fathi Shubeir. "They are civilians in an area designated safe." Israel's military said it couldn't comment on the strike without more details but takes precautions not to harm civilians.
According to The Daily Mail, the Zeitoun district housing 50,000 people faces catastrophic conditions with constant bombardment. No aid trucks have entered Gaza since March 2, according to a coalition of more than 100 organisations.
Humanitarian crisis deepens
Another 11 malnutrition-related deaths occurred in Gaza over the past 24 hours, bringing the war total to 251 deaths from malnutrition. One child was among the latest victims.
The United Nations warns that starvation levels are at their highest since the war began. Palestinians are drinking contaminated water as diseases spread, while aid distribution remains highly challenging with Israeli restrictions.
The Guardian reports that the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed concern while welcoming the tent supply resumption. Islamic Jihad called the displacement announcement a "blatant and brazen mockery of international conventions."
The UN human rights office says at least 1,760 people were killed while seeking aid between May 27 and Wednesday. The Hamas-led attack in 2023 killed around 1,200 people in Israel, while Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed 61,897 people in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry.
Sources used: "PA Media", "The Daily Mail", "The Guardian", "The Independent" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
