The Gaza Strip has entered an unprecedented phase of famine, as “Israel’s” full closure of border crossings continues for the 50th consecutive day. The blockade, preventing the entry of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid, has pushed more than two million Palestinians toward catastrophic levels of hunger and deprivation.

Basic goods have nearly disappeared from local markets, and prices have soared to record highs. "Vegetables are now food for the wealthy," said one resident in northern Gaza to Al-Akhbar. "One kilogram of tomatoes costs $10, potatoes have reached $20 per kilo, and a bag of flour now costs $200." The ongoing fuel shortage has further exacerbated the crisis, leading to a severe lack of clean drinking water.

In addition, Hajja um Raafat, who supports 36 orphans, told Al-Akhbar: "We barely provide one meal a day, the kids are malnourished to the point where they are becoming skeletons."

According to Gaza’s Chamber of Commerce report, prices have surged by 527%, leaving over 90% of the population unable to meet their basic food needs. The World Food Programme warned that “two million people entirely dependent on aid are now unable to find food.” Moreover,UNRWA announced on X that its flour stocks had been completely depleted, further confirming that 3,000 aid trucks are waiting at the border, but Israeli authorities are preventing their entry.

Meanwhile, Israeli military operations across the Strip have intensified. On Sunday, at least 53 Palestinians were martyred, including 20 in southern Gaza, where Israeli strikes hit a tent sheltering displaced families and a residential home. In central Gaza, three separate massacres targeted an apartment, a vegetable stand, and a crowded cafeteria, resulting in 18 martyrs. In the north, 15 more people were martyred in Gaza's Al-Tuffah neighborhood.

However, Palestinian resistance factions continued their operations. Al-Quds Brigades announced targeting an Israeli military post set up in a residential building in Al-Tuffah with a guided missile. Al-Qassam Brigades further reported striking an Israeli Merkava tank with a Yassin-105 shell and detonating an explosive device against Israeli occupational forces east of the neighborhood.

On the diplomatic front, Egyptian officials expressed initial “satisfaction” with a new Hamas proposal to end the war and secure a comprehensive prisoner exchange deal. According to Egyptian sources, Hamas “submitted a vision that includes the release of all captives and handing over Gaza’s administration without imposing preconditions”. Under this proposal, Hamas would not object to the presence of “Egyptian, Arab, or even international forces” deployed inside Gaza within agreed-upon frameworks—on the condition that the war ends completely and a long-term ceasefire of “five to seven years” is established.

Cairo views Hamas’s position on retaining its arms as logical at this stage, given that the Israeli occupation persists. Egyptian officials assure that discussions about disarmament should be “deferred” until the final stage of negotiations. They also believe that the Palestinian Authority “should align” with Hamas’s approach in the upcoming talks.

In contrast, Israeli leadership remains entrenched. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his stance, declaring that “the greatest obstacle to peace is the Palestinians' refusal to recognize the Jewish state.” He dismissed the idea of a Palestinian state as “absurd,” adding that while “Hamas will not remain in Gaza,” “Israel” will also not enable the Palestinian Authority to govern the territory.

12:{"

Most Read

SECTION

SECTION

SECTION