The head of the UN agency aiding Palestinians has stated that its staff are collapsing from hunger as the dire shortage of food in Gaza, caused by severe restrictions on aid entering the territory, intensifies.
"People in Gaza are trapped between life and death—they are like walking skeletons," said Philippe Lazzarini, leader of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), in a social media post.
At least 113 individuals have died from starvation in Gaza, with 45 of those deaths occurring in just the past four days.
"This worsening crisis is impacting everyone, including those working to provide relief in the devastated area ... When those meant to help can barely find food themselves, the entire aid system is breaking down," Lazzarini added.
Recent accounts describe individuals passing out or dying from extreme hunger. Rescue teams have shared images of emaciated bodies, barely more than skin and bones.
Amid increasing global calls for progress to halt the nearly two-year-long destructive conflict, Hamas announced it had submitted its response to mediators regarding the latest truce proposal. An Israeli official told the Associated Press that the group’s latest offer appeared "practical."
A high-ranking US official, Steve Witkoff, was set to meet with Israel’s top adviser, Ron Dermer, and Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, in Sardinia, as confirmed by a source within the Italian government.
An earlier version of the agreement was turned down by mediators, who urged Hamas to revise its terms or risk derailing discussions.
A Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that Hamas’s latest reply was "adaptable, constructive, and acknowledged the worsening suffering in Gaza and the urgency of ending famine conditions."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called negotiators back from Doha on Thursday for further discussions. Reports in Israeli media indicated that key disagreements persisted, including over how far Israeli forces would pull back during any pause in fighting.
Growing international demands for a resolution come as images of malnourished Palestinians draw widespread criticism of Israel’s blockade.
A spokesperson for the European Commission warned that all options remain possible if Israel fails to improve conditions in Gaza. Earlier this month, Israel had consented to easing aid restrictions in coordination with the EU.
The proposed deal includes a potential 60-day pause in fighting, during which Hamas would free 10 living captives and return the remains of 18 others in exchange for Palestinian detainees. Discussions on a permanent ceasefire and expanded aid deliveries would occur during this period.
Only after the recent conflict between Iran and Israel ended has the possibility of a Gaza truce gained serious momentum. The outcome of that 12-day clash provided Netanyahu some political flexibility to pursue negotiations.
Even as talks progress, Israeli military operations have escalated, with at least 89 people reported killed in recent attacks.
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