UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has publicly questioned why well equipped state navies cannot break the Israeli maritime blockade of Gaza when ordinary civilians in small, low resource boats are reportedly managing to deliver humanitarian aid. Her remarks followed coverage of a civilian flotilla comprised of dozens of vessels that departed from multiple countries, with some boats said to have reached within sixty nautical miles, roughly one hundred eleven kilometres, of Gaza. Albanese asked whether the inability or unwillingness of powerful countries to use their naval capabilities reflects political choices, legal constraints, operational limitations, or failures of international will. Posting on social media, she urged the flotilla to continue safely, expressed solidarity with volunteers risking passage, and called on states and international institutions to act decisively to secure reliable humanitarian access for civilians in Gaza. The appeal intensified global scrutiny.

A vessel from the Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid, has entered Gaza’s territorial waters, while 23 more ships continue their journey toward the besieged enclave. The flotilla, consisting of over 40 civilian vessels and around 500 activists from 44 countries, aims to deliver aid to Palestinians via the sea. Participants include lawyers, rights activists, doctors, journalists, and elected European Parliament members. One ship, Mikeno, has already crossed into Gaza’s waters, though it remains unclear if Israeli forces have detained it. Reports indicate that Israeli commandos are encircling vessels and detaining volunteers, raising fears of confrontation. The flotilla began its voyage on August 31 from Barcelona, later joined by ships from Tunisia, Sicily, and Greek islands. Israel alleges links between the flotilla and Hamas but has provided no evidence. Arrival was expected Thursday morning, barring interruptions.

At least 50 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza within the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll since the conflict began nearly two years ago to 66,055, with 168,346 injured.

Many victims remain trapped under rubble or on the streets, inaccessible to rescue workers. During the same period, Israeli forces opened fire on civilians gathering aid supplies, killing five and injuring 48. Since May 27 alone, 2,571 Palestinians have been killed and at least 18,817 injured while trying to collect humanitarian relief.

At least 91 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza in the past 24 hours, with 48 victims from Gaza City alone. Six people were killed while waiting for humanitarian aid in the Saraya area of central Gaza.

Despite the rising death toll—averaging nearly 100 deaths a day—Israel’s bombardment continues. Defense Minister Israel Katz has vowed that the offensive will not stop until all objectives are achieved, threatening further escalation.

Meanwhile, eight Muslim leaders met former U.S. President Donald Trump last Wednesday to push for an end to the war. Trump presented them with a 21-point proposal and later said a ceasefire agreement could be imminent. He is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported on Friday that 60 Palestinians were killed and 142 injured in Israeli airstrikes within the past 24 hours, with 30 fatalities in Gaza City alone. Many remain trapped under rubble as locals struggle to conduct rescue operations without adequate equipment. Reports also allege that Israeli forces targeted ambulances. Despite global calls for a ceasefire at the UN, Israel has escalated its offensive. To date, 65,549 Palestinians have been killed and 167,518 injured in Israeli attacks.

Despite global calls for a ceasefire at the UN, Israeli forces have continued their bombardment of Gaza, killing 85 Palestinians in the past 24 hours.

Among the casualties were 12 people — including seven women and two children — killed when a stadium sheltering displaced families in Nuseirat refugee camp was struck.

One survivor, Najwa, who fled Gaza City, told Al Jazeera: “We left with nothing. We are terrified. Even moving from place to place is costly, and we can’t afford supplies.”

The UN warned that Israeli forces are sowing terror in Gaza City and forcing mass displacement. Its investigative commission said Israel’s actions are aimed at establishing permanent control over Gaza and ensuring Jewish demographic dominance in the West Bank.

Since the war began on October 7, 2023, more than 65,419 Palestinians have been killed and over 167,000 injured.

Italy and Spain have dispatched naval vessels to escort and safeguard the Samoud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza. The ships, now en route, will provide security for the flotilla and conduct rescue operations if necessary.

The move follows multiple drone strikes on the flotilla near the coasts of Tunisia and Greece, which left several aid vessels damaged. Human rights activists on board appealed for international protection, prompting Spain and Italy to step in.

The latest reports indicate the flotilla was advancing southwest of Crete. The Global Samoud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona with relief supplies for Gaza after its previous four missions were blocked by Israel. This fifth mission comprises nearly 50 vessels and includes activists from 44 countries, among them Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have surrounded Gaza City from all directions, expanding their offensive under the operation Gideon’s Chariot.

A new army division has been deployed to intensify the assault, with reports confirming that over 600,000 residents have already fled Gaza City. At least 36 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours.

While Hamas appears severely weakened and has avoided major clashes apart from isolated incidents, Israel continues its aggressive campaign despite recent recognition of Palestine by several influential countries.

The ‘Global Sumud Flotilla,’ a Gaza-bound humanitarian mission, reported hearing explosions nearby and spotting Israeli drones overhead. The ships, which set sail from Tunisia, Greece, and other countries, are now traveling together southwest of Crete.
Organizers said their VHF radio communications were being jammed, accusing Israel of using drones to intimidate and mentally weaken the passengers. In a statement, they condemned Israel and its allies for “crossing all limits to prolong starvation and genocide against the people of Gaza.”

At least 91 Palestinians were killed within 24 hours in Gaza as Israeli forces intensified their bombardment. Among the dead were five family members of Dr. Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital.
Hamas condemned the attack, calling it a “bloody terrorist message” aimed at forcing medical professionals to flee Gaza. Since October 2023, Israel has reportedly killed 1,700 healthcare workers and detained another 400.
Israeli forces are pushing to seize Gaza City, driving residents toward what they call “concentration zones” in the south. According to Palestinian Civil Defense, nearly 450,000 people have fled Gaza since August, while more than 20 high-rise buildings have been destroyed in just the last two weeks.

Israeli airstrikes over the past 24 hours have killed 33 Palestinians and injured 146 more in Gaza. Since October 2023, at least 65,174 Palestinians have been killed and 166,071 injured in Israel’s ongoing military campaign, widely condemned as genocidal.

Many victims remain trapped under rubble, while rescue efforts are hampered by relentless bombardment. In the last day alone, one person was killed and 17 others injured while trying to collect humanitarian aid. Since May 27, 2024, aid-related violence has claimed 2,514 lives and left more than 18,431 injured.

Additionally, four more Palestinians—including children—died from starvation in the past 24 hours, bringing famine-related deaths to 440, of which 147 were children.

At least 79 Palestinians were killed and 228 injured in the latest Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, bringing the total death toll since October to 65,141 and injuries to 165,925.

Officials warn that the actual numbers are much higher, as many remain trapped under rubble with limited rescue capabilities.

In the last 24 hours, Israeli forces also shot dead nine Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid, injuring 33 others. Since May 27, such incidents have killed 2,513 people and injured over 18,414.

Malnutrition and hunger continue to claim lives—four more, including a child, died in the past day, raising the starvation death toll to 435, among them 147 children.

Israeli forces have launched a large-scale ground assault on Gaza City, killing at least 78 Palestinians, according to local reports.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are combining intense airstrikes with ground maneuvers to push Palestinians out of key residential zones, Al Jazeera reported. The European Union has warned that the death toll could rise significantly.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern message to Hamas, urging the release of Israeli hostages. In the West Bank, IDF troops continued operations in Nablus, deploying sound grenades in the town of Kafr Qalil.

At least 51 people have been killed in the past 24 hours as Israel intensified airstrikes on Gaza City, including the destruction of the territory’s tallest residential tower, the Al-Ghafri high-rise.

The bombardment has forced tens of thousands to flee. UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese accused Israel of using "unconventional weapons" for forced displacement. Palestinian Civil Defense reported that more than 50 multi-story buildings have been demolished in recent weeks, including over 1,500 homes in the Zaytoun district alone since August.

Among the dead were twin six-year-old children and three journalists killed in separate strikes.

At least 53 Palestinians have been killed in a series of Israeli strikes across Gaza, where relentless bombardments are driving thousands from their homes.

On Sunday, three people were killed and several wounded in Khan Younis following an IDF strike. In Sheikh Radwan, an attack on a civilian vehicle claimed one life. Another strike on a shelter in Tel al-Hawa killed seven Palestinians, where Israeli hostages were reportedly also present.

The IDF also targeted Al-Shifa Hospital and several other sites. Reports say schools, mosques, hospitals, health centers, residential towers, tents, and even humanitarian offices are being struck. The ongoing bombardment has triggered mass displacement of civilians seeking safety.