Israel is preparing a new military offensive in Gaza City, even as the United Nations has officially declared famine in parts of the enclave.
The UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, warned on Friday that hunger and malnutrition have reached crisis levels, blaming Israel for blocking food and essential aid from reaching civilians. He described the situation as “systematic obstruction” of humanitarian supplies.
Despite these warnings, the Israeli military has increased operations around Gaza City in readiness for a major ground campaign, codenamed Gideon Chariots II. The plan was approved by Israel’s cabinet weeks ago, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed for it, saying the goal is to defeat Hamas.
Mass evacuations are ongoing as residents fear the offensive will bring an even deadlier stage of the conflict.
Israel, however, denies the UN’s report, saying there is no famine in Gaza. The foreign ministry claimed that more than 100,000 trucks of aid have entered the territory since the war began and argued that food prices have fallen in recent weeks due to increased supplies.
The dispute has also drawn sharp reactions from the United States. Ambassador Mike Huckabee criticized the UN’s famine declaration, alleging that Hamas is stealing aid and selling it, while hostages continue to suffer. He accused the UN of corruption and incompetence.
As the war drags on, Gaza’s population remains caught between deepening hunger and the looming threat of another large-scale assault.
