Israel tightens blockade on Gaza as residents fear famine

Despite the partial reopening of one of the commercial crossings, Israel continued its tightening of the blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving markets suffering from shortages of basic food supplies. The Rafah border crossing remained closed, preventing the departure of patients needing medical treatment abroad. Israeli forces also continued their attacks on Gaza, violating the ceasefire agreement.

Two Palestinians were killed on Wednesday by Israeli army fire east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Medical sources reported that the bodies of two martyrs arrived at Nasser Hospital after they were shot by Israeli forces east of Khan Younis.

The Gaza Ministry of Health announced that one martyr and three wounded individuals arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of martyrs since the ceasefire agreement came into effect to 633, and the total number of wounded to 1,703. A total of 753 bodies have been recovered. She noted that the toll of the Israeli war of extermination on the Gaza Strip has risen to 72,117 martyrs and 171,801 wounded since October 7, 2023, while a number of victims are still under the rubble and in the streets, where ambulance and rescue crews are unable to reach them.