At least 83 Palestinians were killed across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, including 58 civilians who were reportedly seeking humanitarian aid, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Hospitals also recorded eight more deaths related to starvation, underscoring the deepening humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
The spike in casualties comes amid growing international condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported plans to fully occupy Gaza.
Speaking at the UN Security Council, Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca warned that such a move would be “deeply alarming.” European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera described the proposal as an “unacceptable provocation.”
Despite the mounting criticism, U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the concerns, stating that the decision on whether to proceed with the occupation is “pretty much up to Israel.”
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) issued a sharp rebuke of Israel’s actions, accusing the country of violating international laws on a daily basis. The NRC also revealed that Norwegian investors are expected to withdraw funds from Israeli companies implicated in human rights abuses in Gaza and the West Bank.
“A complete boycott of companies involved in the occupation is essential,” said the head of the NRC, who also condemned extremist elements in the Israeli government for their links to illegal land seizures and violence by Jewish settlers.
The humanitarian toll on children has been especially devastating. UNICEF reports that an average of 28 Palestinian children are being killed daily in Israeli attacks are equivalent to the loss of an entire classroom each day. So far, more than 18,000 children have lost their lives since the war escalated.
“Gaza has become a graveyard for children,” said Save the Children in a joint statement with UNICEF. They emphasized that bombing, hunger, and a near-total collapse of medical infrastructure are the primary drivers of child fatalities.
The destruction of schools, food centers, and water pipelines has worsened the crisis. Mental health experts warn of severe and lasting trauma among Gaza’s children, many of whom now believe the world has abandoned them.
Over 150 global humanitarian organizations and UN experts are now demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire, along with unimpeded access to aid.
“Children in Gaza urgently need food, water, medicine, and protection,” said UNICEF. “If they are to be saved, a ceasefire is not just necessary, it is urgent.”
