Israel pressed forward with its renewed military offensive in Gaza on Tuesday, carrying out airstrikes that Gaza health officials say killed at least 85 people, even as international pressure mounts for a halt to the violence and greater access for humanitarian aid.
Despite allowing more aid trucks into the enclave, the United Nations reported that essential supplies still have not reached the civilians who need them most.
The offensive comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where experts warn that many of the territory’s two million residents are facing an imminent risk of famine. While Israel says it has recently allowed over 90 aid trucks to enter, U.N. officials confirm that only a few dozen actually made it through on Tuesday, and none of the supplies—including baby formula, flour, and medicine—have reached distribution points.
Aid efforts are being obstructed by new security procedures imposed by the Israeli military. According to U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, workers were forced to reload trucks and then ran out of time to make deliveries. He called the process “long, complex, complicated and dangerous.”
Under mounting pressure from allies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to allow what he called a “minimal” amount of aid, following harrowing images of starvation in Gaza. But critics argue the measures are not enough. The U.K. government announced Tuesday that it is suspending free-trade negotiations with Israel and imposing sanctions on West Bank settlers and organizations, including prominent settler leader Daniella Weiss.
“We’re horrified by the escalation from Israel,” said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking in Parliament. Israel’s Foreign Ministry denounced the sanctions as “unjustified,” and claimed trade talks with the U.K. were not ongoing.
Domestically, criticism of the government’s approach is also beginning to emerge. Yair Golan, a retired general and leader of the opposition Democrats party, condemned what he described as a campaign against civilians. “A sane country doesn’t kill babies as a hobby,” Golan said in a radio interview, accusing the government of turning Israel into an “outcast among nations.”
Netanyahu responded sharply, accusing Golan of inciting against the military and comparing his remarks to “antisemitic blood libels.” Golan defended his comments, saying silence in the face of such a military campaign is complicity and urged opposition forces to unite against government plans in Gaza.
The latest Israeli airstrikes struck a family home and a school-turned-shelter in northern Gaza, killing at least 22 people, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Other strikes across Deir al-Balah, Nuseirat, and Khan Younis killed dozens more. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas infrastructure and blames the militant group for civilian casualties, citing its operations in densely populated areas.
As the offensive continues, Netanyahu recalled his negotiating team from Qatar following failed ceasefire talks. Though a working team remains in Doha, Qatari officials acknowledged that a “fundamental gap” remains between Israel and Hamas. Hamas, which led the deadly October 7, 2023, attack that killed around 1,200 people in Israel, said real negotiations have stalled since Saturday and accused Netanyahu of using the talks as a public relations cover.
Israel’s retaliatory war has now killed over 53,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The scale of destruction, ongoing civilian deaths, and growing starvation have fueled international outrage, with many allies warning that continued support for Israel may be at risk unless humanitarian conditions improve and the war de-escalates.
SR
