URGENT UPDATE: A devastating Israeli airstrike in Gaza has claimed the lives of a baby girl and her parents, intensifying the already fraught situation as families of hostages call for nationwide protests in Israel. The attack, which occurred in the crowded Muwasi area, resulted in the tragic loss of Motasem al-Batta, his wife, and their two-and-a-half-month-old daughter, whose body was found wrapped in blue cloth alongside her parents.
As temperatures soared above 32 degrees Celsius, neighbors expressed their outrage and grief. “Two and a half months, what has she done?” questioned neighbor Fathi Shubeir, highlighting the pain felt by the community over civilian casualties in what was supposed to be a “safe” area.
The Israeli military stated it continues to dismantle Hamas‘ military capabilities and emphasized its commitment to civilian safety, but could not comment on the specifics of this latest strike due to a lack of detailed information. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated plans to expand military operations in Gaza, raising concerns among families of the 50 hostages still held by Hamas.
The mobilization of Israeli forces is anticipated to take weeks, and as the military prepares for a broader offensive, fears grow for the remaining hostages—only 20 of whom are believed to still be alive. Families have expressed horror over recently released videos showing emaciated captives pleading for help, fueling a growing wave of public frustration. A coalition representing these families is urging citizens to take to the streets this Sunday, declaring, “Across the country, hundreds of citizen-led initiatives will pause daily life to join the most just and moral struggle: the struggle to bring all 50 hostages home.”
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. The United Nations warns that levels of starvation and malnutrition are at their highest since the conflict began. Many Palestinians are resorting to drinking contaminated water as diseases spread rapidly. In just the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry reported 11 new malnutrition-related deaths, bringing the total during the war to 251, including at least one child.
Aid efforts are critically hampered by Israeli restrictions, with the UN and partner organizations facing immense challenges in getting supplies to the over two million people in Gaza. The UN human rights office has documented at least 1,760 deaths of individuals seeking aid between May 27 and Wednesday, including 766 killed along supply routes.
As tensions escalate, the Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government, reports a staggering 61,897 deaths in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict. This figure remains contested by Israel, which has not provided its own statistics.
With the situation deteriorating rapidly, the international community watches closely for developments in both the humanitarian crisis and the hostage negotiations. The coming days are critical, and the call for protests reflects a deepening frustration among Israelis grappling with the prolonged conflict. The world waits to see how these events will unfold, with the lives of countless civilians hanging in the balance.
