Israel issues new evacuation orders in central Gaza as hunger worsens
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Israeli fire kills 67 aid seekers in Gaza, medics say, as hunger worsens
At least 67 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire as they waited for U.N. aid trucks in northern Gaza on Sunday, the Gaza health ministry said. It was one of the highest reported death tolls among repeated cases in which aid seekers have been killed, including 36 on Saturday. Another six people were killed near another aid site in the south, it said. Israel issued new evacuation orders for areas packed with displaced people. Pope Leo called for an end to the “barbarity of war” as he spoke of his profound pain over an Israeli strike on the sole Catholic church in Gaza that killed three people on Thursday. Palestinian health officials said hundreds of people could soon die as hospitals were inundated with patients suffering from dizziness and exhaustion due to the scarcity of food and a collapse in aid deliveries.Gaza residents said it was becoming impossible to find essential flour such as flour for essential meals. At least 71 children had died of malnutrition during the war, and others were suffering from symptoms of malnutrition, according to the health ministry.
Item 1 of 3 Palestinians gather as they carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Summary Medics say dozens killed and wounded waiting for aid trucks
Israeli military says it will expand operations in Gaza
Hostage families fear their relatives will be put at risk
Pope Leo calls for end to ‘barbarity of war’ after church strike
CAIRO, July 20 (Reuters) – At least 67 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire as they waited for U.N. aid trucks in northern Gaza on Sunday, the Gaza health ministry said, as Israel issued new evacuation orders for areas packed with displaced people.
The ministry said dozens of people were also wounded in the incident in northern Gaza. It was one of the highest reported death tolls among repeated recent cases in which aid seekers have been killed, including 36 on Saturday . Another six people were killed near another aid site in the south, it said.
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Israel’s military said its troops had fired warning shots towards a crowd of thousands of people in northern Gaza on Sunday to remove what it said was “an immediate threat”.
It said initial findings suggested reported casualty figures were inflated, and it “certainly does not intentionally target humanitarian aid trucks”.
It did not immediately comment on the incident in the south.
The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) said that shortly after entering Gaza, a WFP convoy of 25 trucks carrying food aid encountered “massive crowds of hungry civilians” who then came under gunfire.
“WFP reiterates that any violence involving civilians seeking humanitarian aid is completely unacceptable,” it said in a statement.
In total, health authorities said 88 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the enclave on Sunday.
DISPLACED GAZANS EVACUATE
After Israel’s military dropped leaflets urging people to evacuate from neighbourhoods in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, residents said Israeli planes struck three houses in the area.
Dozens of families began leaving their homes, carrying some of their belongings. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans have been sheltering in the Deir al-Balah area.
Israel’s military said it had not entered the districts subject to the evacuation order during the current conflict and that it was continuing “to operate with great force to destroy the enemy’s capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area”.
Israeli sources have said the reason the army has so far stayed out is because they suspect Hamas might be holding hostages there. At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in captivity in Gaza are believed to still be alive.
Hostage families demanded an explanation from the army.
“Can anyone (promise) to us that this decision will not come at the cost of losing our loved ones?” the families said in a statement.
ACCELERATING STARVATION
Much of Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland during more than 21 months of war and there are fears of accelerating starvation.
Palestinian health officials said hundreds of people could soon die as hospitals were inundated with patients suffering from dizziness and exhaustion due to the scarcity of food and a collapse in aid deliveries.
“We warn that hundreds of people whose bodies have wasted away are at risk of imminent death due to hunger,” said the health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.
The United Nations also said on Sunday that civilians were starving and needed an urgent influx of aid.
Pope Leo called for an end to the “barbarity of war” as he spoke of his profound pain over an Israeli strike on the sole Catholic church in Gaza that killed three people on Thursday.
Gaza residents said it was becoming impossible to find essential food such as flour. The health ministry said at least 71 children had died of malnutrition during the war, and 60,000 others were suffering from symptoms of malnutrition.
Later on Sunday, it said 18 people have died of hunger in the past 24 hours.
Food prices have increased well beyond what most of the population of more than two million can afford.
Several people who spoke to Reuters via chat apps said they either had one meal or no meal in the past 24 hours.
“As a father, I wake up in the early morning to look for food, for even a loaf of bread for my five children, but all in vain,” said Ziad, a nurse.
“People who didn’t die of bombs will die of hunger. We want an end to this war now, a truce, even for two months,” he told Reuters.
Others said they felt dizzy walking in the streets and that many fainted as they walked. Fathers leave tents to avoid questions by their children about what to eat.
UNRWA, the U.N. refugee agency dedicated to Palestinians, demanded Israel allow more aid trucks into Gaza, saying it had enough food for the entire population for over three months which was not allowed in.
Israel’s military said that it “views the transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip as a matter of utmost importance, and works to enable and facilitate its entry in coordination with the international community”.
TRUCE TALKS
Some Palestinians suggested the move on Deir al-Balah might be an attempt to put pressure on Hamas to make more concessions in long-running ceasefire negotiations.
Israel and Hamas are engaged in indirect talks in Doha aimed at reaching a 60-day truce and hostage deal, although there has been no sign of breakthrough.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza.
The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population and plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis.
Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Crispian Balmer Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York and Keith Weir; Editing by Crispian Balmer, Aidan Lewis and Helen Popper
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Israeli military issues new evacuation orders in Gaza as hunger crisis worsens
The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders on Sunday in several areas of central Gaza, filled with displaced Palestinians. The evacuation requests from the army could signal imminent attacks on the Deir al-Balah neighborhoods. Families of Israeli hostages who fear their relatives are being held there have been alarmed. At least 30 Palestinians were killed and dozens more were injured by gunfire from Israeli soldiers as crowds gathered to await the entry of United Nations aid trucks.
July 20, 2025 12:36
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The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders on Sunday in several areas of central Gaza, filled with displaced Palestinians, where it has so far not operated in its war against Hamas, as the hunger crisis continues to worsen.
The evacuation requests from the army, which could signal imminent attacks on the Deir al-Balah neighborhoods, have alarmed families of Israeli hostages who fear their relatives are being held there, Reuters wrote.
Much of Gaza has been turned into a desert during more than 21 months of war and there are concerns about a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Health officials at Al Shifa Hospital, located in northern Gaza, have announced that at least 30 Palestinians were killed and dozens more were injured by gunfire from Israeli soldiers, as crowds gathered to await the entry of United Nations aid trucks.
The Israeli Army has announced that they are analyzing the circumstances of the incident.
Among other things, local health officials have claimed that thousands of people could die as a result of hospitals overwhelmed with patients suffering from dizziness and exhaustion, due to food shortages and the collapse of aid deliveries.
“We warn that hundreds of people, whose bodies have been weakened, are at risk of immediate death due to hunger,” the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry said in a statement.
Israel had imposed a total humanitarian blockade for 11 consecutive weeks, starting in March, and despite the small amount of food, fuel and medical supplies that have been allowed in since May, there has been no concrete progress in alleviating extreme hunger.
Israel issues new evacuation orders in central Gaza as hunger worsens
The Israeli military issued evacuation orders on Sunday in densely populated areas of central Gaza where large numbers of displaced Palestinians have been sheltering. The evacuation order, hinting at a possible imminent assault on areas in Deir al-Balah, has raised alarm among families of Israeli hostages. At least 73 people were killed while trying to access aid at locations across Gaza on Sunday, the Palestinian health ministry said. A large part of Gaza has been devastated by more than 21 months of warfare, with deepening fears of mass starvation. The Gaza health ministry stated that a minimum of 71 children have died of malnutrition during the war, while another 60,000 are suffering symptoms of malnutrition. Israeli authorities claim that the United Nations has failed to collect aid that is ready for distribution into the territory. Among them are 1 million children. Israel, maintains that it is not preventing aid from entering Gaza and accused Hamas of stealing food and on the other hand, accused the other side of preventing aid entering Gaza. Israel and Hamas have been holding peace talks in Qatar but there have been no breakthroughs.
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The announcement comes as Israel and Hamas have been holding peace talks in Qatar. However, international mediators say there have been no breakthroughs.
Israel has confirmed hat its soldiers had shot at a gathering of thousands of Palestinians in northern Gaza, but it said the exact number of casualties being reported were much higher than what was found in military’s initial investigation, as reported by the Associated Press.
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The evacuation order, hinting at a possible imminent assault on areas in Deir al-Balah, has raised alarm among families of Israeli hostages, who fear their loved ones may be held in the targeted zones. A large part of Gaza has been devastated by more than 21 months of warfare, with deepening fears of mass starvation.
In a post on X, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee stated that residents and displaced Palestinians in the Deir el-Balah area should leave immediately.
Israel was “expanding its activities” around Deir el-Balah, including “in an area where it has not operated before”, Adraee said, telling Palestinians to “move south towards the al-Mawasi area” on the Mediterranean coast “for your safety”.
Health officials at northern Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital stated that as many as 30 Palestinians were killed and dozens others were injured by Israeli fire as crowds gathered for the entry of U.N. aid trucks. Israeli military responded to this saying it was checking the report.
Palestinian health officials have warned that hundreds of people could soon die with hospitals already stuffed with patients suffering from dizziness and exhaustion due to food shortages and the breakdown in aid deliveries.
“We warn that hundreds of people whose bodies have wasted away are at risk of imminent death due to hunger,” the Hamas-controlled health ministry said.
The United Nations issued its own statement on Sunday, expressing that civilians are starving and urgently require a substantial influx of aid.
Military Action and Hostage Concerns
The Israeli military dropped leaflets over southwest Deir al-Balah, urging the people who have been sheltering there, to evacuate and head further south.
“The (Israeli) Defense Forces continues to operate with great force to destroy the enemy’s capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area,” the military declared, while noting it had not yet entered these districts during the current conflict.
The army had so far avoided these areas due to suspicions that Hamas may be keeping hostages there. Of the remaining 50 Israeli hostages believed to be in Gaza, at least 20 are thought to still be alive, Reuters reported citing Israeli sources.
Demanding an explanation from the army, hostage families said in a statement: “Can anyone (promise) to us that this decision will not come at the cost of losing our loved ones?”
Some Palestinians even suggested the decision to move to Deir al-Balah could be intended to pressure Hamas for further concessions in ongoing ceasefire talks.
Since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, the Israeli military’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians according to health officials. Nearly the entire population has been displaced, and the enclave has been plunged into a severe humanitarian emergency.
Residents have complained that even basic food staples, such as flour, are now nearly impossible to find. The Gaza health ministry stated that a minimum of 71 children have died of malnutrition during the war, while another 60,000 are suffering symptoms of malnutrition. Soaring food prices have made things unaffordable for most of Gaza’s two million-plus inhabitants.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which supports Palestinians, called on Israel to allow greater aid access, stating that enough food for the territory’s population has been stockpiled for over three months but remains blocked from entry
“The Israeli Authorities are starving civilians in #Gaza. Among them are 1 million children. Lift the siege: allow UNRWA to bring in food and medicines,” it wrote on X on Sunday.
Israel, on the other hand, maintains that it is not preventing aid from entering Gaza and accused Hamas of stealing food, an allegation Hamas has rejected. Israeli authorities also claim that the United Nations has failed to collect aid that is ready for distribution into the territory.
Israel will not renew visa of top UN humanitarian official
Israel has declined to renew the visa for Jonathan Whittall, the senior U.N. aid official for the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel has come under mounting criticism from the U.S. during its war in the Palestinian enclave, which has internally displaced Gaza’s entire population. The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages. It has prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the international Criminal Court, which Israel denies.
Summary Israel will not extend visa of Jonathan Whittall beyond August, UN says
UN has been critical of Israel during its war in Gaza
Israel has dismissed UN criticism as being biased
WASHINGTON, July 18 (Reuters) – Israel has declined to renew the visa for Jonathan Whittall, the senior U.N. aid official for the occupied Palestinian territories, a U.N. spokesperson said on Friday, adding there were intensifying threats of reduced access to suffering civilians.
Eri Kaneko, spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said visas for U.N. staff were recently renewed for shorter periods than usual and access requests to Gaza were denied for multiple agencies. Kaneko said permits for Palestinian staff to enter East Jerusalem were also withheld.
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WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Gaza is in the midst of a devastating Israeli military assault following a deadly October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants. Israel has come under mounting criticism from the U.N. during its war in the Palestinian enclave, which has internally displaced Gaza’s entire population and caused a hunger crisis
KEY QUOTES
“Last week, it was indicated to us that our current Head of Office, Jonathan Whittall, won’t have his visa extended by Israeli authorities beyond August. This came immediately after remarks he made at a press briefing about starving people being killed while trying to reach food,” Kaneko said.
Israel’s mission to the U.N. did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel has previously dismissed U.N. criticism as being biased.
CONTEXT
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, Israeli tallies show.
Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s subsequent military assault has killed over 58,000 Palestinians. It has also prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations.
The U.N. rights office says it recorded nearly 900 killings within the past six weeks near aid distribution sites and aid convoys in Gaza.
Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Michelle Nichols and Leslie Adler
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World News: Israel issues new evacuation orders in central Gaza as hunger worsens
Israeli military issues evacuation orders in areas of central Gaza where it hasn’t operated so far in its war with Hamas. Families of Israeli hostages fear their relatives are being held there. Palestinian health officials say hundreds of people could soon die as hospitals are inundated with patients suffering from dizziness and exhaustion. U.N. refugee agency demands Israel allow more aid trucks into Gaza, saying it has enough food for the entire population for three months for 1.5 million children. The Israeli military has denied accusations of preventing aid and accused Hamas of stealing food, an allegation Hamas denies it has ever done.”As a father, I wake up in the early morning to look for food, for even a loaf of bread for my five children, but all in vain,” said Ziad, a nurse. “People who didn’t die of bombs will die of hunger. We want an end to this war now, a truce, even for two months,” he said.
The military evacuation demand, which could signal an imminent attack on neighbourhoods in Deir Al Balah, alarmed the families of Israeli hostages, who fear their relatives are being held there.
Much of Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland during more than 21 months of war and there are fears of accelerating starvation.
Health officials at Al Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza said at least 30 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded by Israeli fire as crowds gathered to await the entry of U.N. aid trucks.
Israel’s military said it was checking the report.
Palestinian health officials said hundreds of people could soon die as hospitals were inundated with patients suffering from dizziness and exhaustion due to the scarcity of food and a collapse in aid deliveries.
“We warn that hundreds of people whose bodies have wasted away are at risk of imminent death due to hunger,” the health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, said.
The United Nations also said on Sunday that civilians were starving and needed an urgent influx of aid.
The Israeli military dropped leaflets from the sky ordering people in several districts in southwest Deir Al Balah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans have been sheltering, to leave their homes and head further south.
“The (Israeli) Defence Forces continues to operate with great force to destroy the enemy’s capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area,” the military said, adding that it had not entered these districts during the current conflict.
Israeli sources have said the reason the army has so far stayed out is because they suspect Hamas might be holding hostages there. At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in captivity in Gaza are believed to still be alive.
Hostage families demanded an explanation from the army.
“Can anyone (promise) to us that this decision will not come at the cost of losing our loved ones?” the families said in a statement. Some Palestinians suggested the move on Deir Al Balah might be an attempt to put pressure on Hamas to make more concessions in long-running ceasefire negotiations.
Israel and Hamas are engaged in indirect talks in Doha aimed at reaching a 60-day truce and hostage deal, although there has been no sign of a breakthrough.
The war began when Hamas-led s stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza.
The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 58,000 Palestinians according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population and plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis.
STARVATION
Local health authorities said a total of 45 people had been killed in separate Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across Gaza on Sunday.
Residents said it was becoming impossible to find essential food such as flour. The Gaza health ministry said at least 71 children had died of malnutrition during the war, and 60,000 others were suffering from symptoms of malnutrition.
Food prices have increased well beyond what most of the population of more than two million can afford.
Several people who spoke to Reuters via chat apps said they either had one meal or no meal in the past 24 hours.
“As a father, I wake up in the early morning to look for food, for even a loaf of bread for my five children, but all in vain,” said Ziad, a nurse.
“People who didn’t die of bombs will die of hunger. We want an end to this war now, a truce, even for two months,” he told Reuters.
Others said they felt dizzy walking in the streets and that many fainted as they walked. Fathers leave tents to avoid questions by their children about what to eat.
UNRWA, the U.N. refugee agency dedicated to Palestinians, demanded Israel allow more aid trucks into Gaza, saying it had enough food for the entire population for over three months which was not allowed in.
“The Israeli Authorities are starving civilians in #Gaza. Among them are 1 million children. Lift the siege: allow UNRWA to bring in food and medicines,” it wrote on X on Sunday.
Israel has denied accusations it is preventing aid from reaching Gaza and has accused Hamas of stealing food, an allegation Hamas denies. It also says the United Nations has not picked up aid ready to move into Gaza.