The health ministry in Gaza, managed by Hamas, has reported an additional 11 fatalities due to malnutrition. This raises the total number of malnutrition-related deaths to 212, including 98 children. Furthermore, Israeli military actions in the past 24 hours have resulted in at least 38 deaths and 491 injuries, according to the health ministry.
The situation worsens as a deadline of October 7, 2025, has been set for evacuating Gaza City, following a contentious Israeli plan to seize control. This new plan, ratified by Israel’s security cabinet, outlines five “principles” for ending the Gaza conflict, including taking “security control of the territory.” Israeli reports suggest the initial phase focuses on fully controlling Gaza City and relocating its estimated one million residents southwards.
This strategy faces global and internal criticism, including from military officials and families of hostages in Gaza, who express safety concerns. Nevertheless, Israel has dismissed these criticisms, with Defense Minister Israel Katz stating that condemnation won’t weaken their resolve. The US has shown less opposition, with Donald Trump recently commenting that Israel might determine whether to occupy the Gaza Strip fully.
Reports from Israeli media indicate a two-month timeline before a military siege of Gaza City commences on October 7, 2025, marking the war’s two-year anniversary. During this period, Israel aims to displace the estimated one million Palestinians in Gaza City, accounting for half of the territory’s population. Gaza City, the capital of the Gaza Strip, had a pre-war population of around 600,000, which has surged due to ongoing Israeli military actions.
Many of the current residents have been repeatedly displaced, residing in tents or damaged buildings from air strikes. Reports suggest the military plans to relocate the population to al-Mawasi, a vast tent camp in southern Gaza, already sheltering thousands amid a lack of essential facilities and sanitation.
Humanitarian agencies and many Israeli allies have condemned the plan, concerned about exacerbating human suffering. The planned takeover of Gaza City could further complicate Palestinians’ access to basic needs, as the UN warns of an unfolding “worst-case scenario of famine.” On Friday, the UN highlighted that aid entering Gaza remains “far below the minimum required to meet people’s immense needs.”
Israel has denied allegations of starvation in Gaza, accusing UN agencies of inefficiencies at the borders. The UN, however, reports persistent impediments and delays in collecting aid from Israeli-controlled areas.
Aid distribution remains problematic, with deaths reported as people seek food. Gaza’s health ministry reported on Saturday that 21 people have died trying to acquire aid in the past day. The UN stated earlier that 1,373 Palestinians have died seeking food since late May, when the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the US and Israel, established aid sites. The UN claims most were killed by Israeli forces, with 859 deaths near GHF sites and 514 along food convoy routes. The GHF disputes these figures.
Israel accuses Hamas of inciting chaos near aid centers, asserting their forces do not target civilians. Reporting restrictions imposed by Israel limit independent verification from Gaza.
Israel’s prime minister’s office announced plans to conquer Gaza City, promising “humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” but provided no further details. As seen in past displacements, this will likely result in chaotic scenes with families evacuating by various means.
Post the October 7, 2025, deadline, Israel plans a siege on Gaza City, potentially intensifying attacks, while Hamas vows strong resistance. Similar methodologies were observed in Rafah and other northern towns evacuated and subsequently razed. The period might prove lethal if Hamas fighters with hostages are present in Gaza City, as orders are reported for captors to kill hostages if Israeli troops approach. Approximately 20 Israeli hostages are believed to be alive, possibly held near Gaza City.
Israel’s military operations in Gaza followed the October 7, 2023, Hamas-attacks, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostage situations. Since then, Israeli activities have led to over 61,300 deaths in Gaza.