At least 78 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes or firing in the Gaza Strip on Monday, including a pregnant woman. Local health officials said that after the pregnant woman died, she was delivered through a complicated surgery but her newborn baby also died. They said that many of the dead were searching for food.
Even before this attack, Israel had eased sanctions in view of the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region. Amid growing pressure over the growing famine crisis in Gaza, Israel said last weekend that it would halt military action in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi areas for 10 hours a day and arrange safe routes for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The service of delivering aid through international flights was also restored.
However, various aid agencies say that this step is insufficient to deal with the growing hunger situation in Gaza. UN food agency spokesman Martin Penner said that all 55 of its trucks arriving in Gaza on Sunday were looted by the mob before reaching their destination. Another UN official said that there has been no change on the ground so far and alternative routes have not been allowed. Israel has also made it clear that military operations will continue along with these new measures of humanitarian relief.