The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has sharply intensified, with Gaza hospitals reporting over 200 martyrs, including seven whose bodies were recently retrieved, in the past 48 hours, and 459 injuries over the past 24 hours, according to authorities in Gaza.

Additionally, the number of martyrs since early Sunday has exceeded 90, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported. These martyrs have not been accounted for in the previous toll published by the Gaza Government Media Office.  

Additionally, over 300,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced to Gaza City in the past two days, after nearly 1,000 housing units were destroyed by Israeli occupation forces.

According to the latest field data, many victims remain trapped under the rubble or in the streets, unreachable by civil defense or medical teams due to ongoing bombardment.

The total death toll since October 7, 2023, resulting from the ongoing Israeli aggression, has now exceeded 53,272 martyrs and 120,673 injuries. Since March 18, 2025, alone, 3,131 Palestinians have been killed and 8,632 injured.

Targeted killings continue

Concurrently, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza reported, citing Al-Awda Hospital, that four children were killed and seven others were injured as a result of Israeli airstrikes on civilian homes in the Jabalia camp, north of the Gaza Strip.

Moreover, one Palestinian was killed in an Israeli attack on Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip.

Our correspondent also reported that four Palestinians were killed and 11 others were injured after an Israeli airstrike targeted a gathering in the al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City.

He highlighted that Israeli occupation forces continued their assaults across several areas of the Gaza Strip on Friday, intensifying an already dire situation.

Artillery shelling struck the northern section of the al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, while a military helicopter opened fire on the al-Waha area, in the northwest of the Strip.

In central Gaza, eastern Deir al-Balah came under sustained artillery bombardment. Meanwhile, an airstrike on central Jabalia refugee camp hit three adjacent residential homes, resulting in numerous martyrs, injuries, and reports of individuals still missing beneath the rubble, as per our correspondent.

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UN warns of volatile situation, risks to hospitals

At a press briefing Friday, UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay warned that the situation in Gaza remains “extremely volatile and unpredictable.” She noted that Israeli forces have intensified operations following displacement orders issued across North Gaza, Deir al-Balah, and Khan Younis governorates in the past three days.

“The ongoing hostilities are also putting hospitals in northern Gaza, and the patients and staff there, at risk,” she added.

Despite what Tremblay described as “enormous challenges", 18 field kitchens have recently resumed operations. The UN continues to call for the lifting of the total blockade, protection of civilians, and a reinstatement of the ceasefire.

UNRWA, WFP sound alarms over famine risk

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) posted a grim update on X, warning that no humanitarian aid or supplies have entered Gaza since March 2, when Israeli authorities imposed a renewed siege.

According to the update, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical tipping point. UNRWA’s flour and food parcel supplies have been completely exhausted, leaving hundreds of thousands without basic nutrition. More than one-third of essential medical supplies are now out of stock, severely undermining healthcare capacity.

Our latest on the situation in📍#Gaza and the #WestBank:

🔹Humanitarian aid and supplies have not entered the Gaza Strip for over 🔟 weeks now, since the Israeli authorities imposed a siege on 2 March.

🔹UNRWA flour and food parcels have run out. Over one third of essential… pic.twitter.com/xPMgdLvqco

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 17, 2025

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report released on May 12 warned that one in five people in Gaza are facing starvation, while the entire population remains at critical risk of famine. The crisis is particularly acute among children, who are experiencing widespread and severe food deprivation.

UNRWA’s remaining operations currently provide limited water and waste services for about 420,000 people monthly, down from pre-siege levels.

This kitchen used to feed 5,000 people a day. Now it stands empty.

We have enough food ready to enter #Gaza, explains WFP's Kate Newton. We just need the access.

Let aid in before it's too late. pic.twitter.com/wGOuSO5Ks9

— World Food Programme (@WFP) May 16, 2025

On its part, the World Food Programme (WFP) echoed the alarm. “This kitchen used to feed 5,000 people a day. Now it stands empty,” said Kate Newton of the WFP, emphasizing that food stocks are available but cannot be delivered due to access restrictions. “Let aid in before it’s too late,” she urged.

This is happening as the Israeli occupation has intensified its aggression across five military axes in Gaza, launching overnight airstrikes and ground incursions under what the occupation calls "Operation Gideon’s Chariots," Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in the Strip reported earlier today. 

Guterres 'alamed' by Israeli plans

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday urged "an immediate and lasting halt to hostilities in Gaza" following "Israel’s" announcement of the escalated ground offensive in the territory.

“We need a permanent ceasefire, now,” Guterres said during an address to leaders at the Arab League summit in Baghdad. “I am alarmed by reported plans by Israel to expand ground operations and more," he added.

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