Israel Faces Global Pressure Over Gaza Hunger, Civilian Deaths/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Top Netanyahu aide Ron Dermer will meet US envoy Steve Witkoff in Rome amid soaring Gaza death toll and starvation risk. Rights groups demand urgent aid as Israeli airstrikes continue and hunger intensifies. Humanitarian groups say over 59,000 Palestinians have died; Israel rejects accusations of deliberate famine.
Gaza Ceasefire Push + Humanitarian Crisis Quick Looks
- US envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Israel’s Ron Dermer in Rome Thursday
- The visit comes amid rising Palestinian deaths and deepening famine across Gaza
- At least 21 people killed overnight, including children and pregnant women
- Over 1,000 Palestinians have died near aid sites since May, UN says
- Israel denies wrongdoing, says aid groups are failing to distribute food
- More than 59,000 deaths since October 2023, health ministry reports
- 115+ NGOs and human rights groups urge immediate scale-up of food aid
- The Holy Family Church in Gaza was accidentally shelled by Israeli forces
- Israeli official Dr. Marwan al-Hams detained; lawyers denied access
- Ceasefire talks focus on a 60-day truce and hostage releases
Deep Look: Netanyahu Adviser to Meet US Envoy as Gaza Crisis Worsens
The talks come as at least 21 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes overnight, pushing the death toll in Gaza past 59,000. Many of the recent victims were women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are widely used by UN agencies despite Israeli skepticism over their credibility.
Witkoff’s Rome visit is viewed as a critical diplomatic step. If the meeting with Dermer proves productive, U.S. officials have indicated that Witkoff may travel to Doha later this week to help finalize a long-sought 60-day ceasefire and humanitarian agreement with Hamas.
Starvation Crisis Escalates
The United Nations and international NGOs have warned that famine is imminent in Gaza. Over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since May while attempting to retrieve food, often around chaotic aid distribution points managed by U.S.-approved contractors.
A new letter signed by 115 humanitarian organizations and rights groups, released Wednesday, describes the current situation as “a man-made starvation emergency.” The letter accuses Israel of intentionally restricting aid and calls for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian access.
“Our colleagues and the Palestinians we serve are wasting away,” the groups wrote.
Israel has defended its actions, insisting that over 4,500 aid trucks have entered Gaza since May and that 700 more trucks are waiting to be collected by the UN. However, that pace—just 70 trucks per day—is far below the 500–600 daily trucks the UN says are required.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has rejected the starvation claims as “Hamas propaganda.”
Civilian Casualties Mount
Tuesday night’s airstrikes hit multiple civilian areas across Gaza:
- A house in northwest Gaza City was bombed, killing 12 people, including 6 children and 2 women
- An apartment in Tal al-Hawa was struck, resulting in 6 deaths, including a pregnant woman
- A tent in Naser neighborhood was hit, killing 3 children
The Israeli military acknowledged striking an Islamic Jihad target in one of these locations and says civilian casualties are under review. Israel frequently blames Hamas for civilian deaths, arguing militants operate from densely populated areas.
Holy Site Hit, Vatican and US Respond
Last week, the Holy Family Church in Gaza City—the territory’s only Catholic church—was accidentally struck by Israeli munitions. The blast killed three civilians, injured ten, and prompted condemnations from Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump. The Israeli military claims the strike was the result of a “munitions deviation.”
Detentions and Internal Chaos
The acting health director of Gaza, Dr. Marwan al-Hams, was detained by Israeli forces in southern Gaza earlier this week. Palestinian rights groups report he has been denied legal access and remains wounded and in custody in Israel.
Aid distribution remains chaotic, hindered by military restrictions, ongoing conflict, and looting amid widespread lawlessness. Israel maintains its position that the United Nations and NGOs are failing to distribute aid efficiently, a claim humanitarian groups reject.
Political Stakes Rising
This renewed ceasefire push is taking place under increased international scrutiny. Since returning to the White House, President Trump has made the Israel-Hamas conflict a centerpiece of his Middle East policy, cutting funding to academic institutions and pressing for new hostage negotiations.
The proposed U.S. ceasefire framework includes:
- A 60-day truce
- Hostage releases by Hamas
- Prisoner exchanges by Israel
- Expanded humanitarian aid corridors
- Talks for a permanent end to the war
However, key hurdles remain. Prime Minister Netanyahu insists the war won’t stop until Hamas is dismantled, while Hamas is demanding ironclad guarantees that hostilities won’t resume after the truce.
With both sides entrenched and Gaza teetering on the edge of famine, the Rome talks may mark one of the last viable diplomatic openings before the crisis deepens further.
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