A Summary Report from Al-Ayyam Newspaper Humanitarian and Security Developments in occupied Palestine

Original document

Date: August 10, 2025

Gaza Situation

After 22 months of war, Gaza faces an unprecedented humanitarian and health catastrophe. The head of Al-Shifa Medical Complex stated that available medical supplies cover less than 1% of the needs, with near-total collapse of the healthcare system, widespread famine, and malnutrition across all age groups. In just 24 hours, 11 people—including children, women, and young adults—died from starvation, bringing the total famine-related death toll to 212, including 98 children.

On Saturday alone, Israeli attacks across Gaza killed 60 people and injured over 370, most near U.S. aid distribution points or while waiting for trucks carrying relief supplies. The Israeli army continues massing forces east of Gaza City, with tanks and armored bulldozers near the Shejaiya area.

Israeli officials revealed a gradual plan to take full control of Gaza City, which could take at least six months, following large-scale evacuations. Reports indicate that six army brigades are preparing to seize the area north of Wadi Gaza. Satellite images show significant military buildup, signaling a possible large ground invasion.

The UN warns that under extreme summer heat, access to basic needs like food and water has become nearly impossible for civilians. Aid entering Gaza remains far below the minimum required.

Residents of Gaza City report widespread anxiety and uncertainty about where to go if ordered to evacuate. Unlike previous displacements, most remaining habitable areas in Gaza are already overcrowded or destroyed. Many fear that this evacuation will be permanent, preventing any return. Some residents are preparing by moving belongings to relatives in southern Gaza, while others vow to stay regardless of the risks. There is concern that Israel intends to isolate northern Gaza permanently and establish settlements there.

West Bank Developments

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers, backed by the military, carried out a series of attacks on Palestinian communities in multiple governorates. They burned tents and farmland, uprooted trees, and threatened residents to leave their homes. Incidents included armed settler assaults in Deir Jarir and Ramun near Ramallah, with fires destroying agricultural land. The Red Crescent reported being blocked from accessing some affected areas.

Israeli Domestic Protests

Tens of thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv and other locations against the government’s plan to occupy Gaza City, demanding a prisoner exchange deal to end the war. Protesters blocked major highways, and families of Israeli captives accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of endangering their loved ones.

 

 Date: August 8-9, 2025

Escalation of Violence in Gaza

Over the past two days, Israeli military operations have intensified across the Gaza Strip, with heavy artillery bombardments and expanded ground incursions reported in Khan Younis, northern Gaza, and central areas. The death toll has risen to approximately 750, with more than 350 people injured. Famine-related deaths have reached 197, including 96 children. Civilians waiting for humanitarian aid have been repeatedly targeted by gunfire in locations such as al-Sudaniya (“Zikim”) in northern Gaza, near Rafah, and along Salah al-Din Road in central Gaza, leading to multiple deaths and injuries. In one tragic incident, a child died after being struck by an aid box dropped from the air.

Severe Humanitarian Crisis

The United Nations has reported that acute malnutrition among Gaza’s children has reached unprecedented levels. In a recent 24-hour period, only 92 aid trucks entered the Strip—about 14% of the required daily amount—and many of them were looted amid ongoing security chaos. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital has warned that it may be forced to shut down completely due to severe shortages of fuel for generators. UNFPA data indicates that 4 in 10 pregnant or breastfeeding women are suffering from acute malnutrition, while 1 in 7 newborns requires urgent medical care. Repeated evacuation orders have forced families into makeshift shelters, including the abandoned “Asdaa” prison in Khan Younis, which is now overcrowded and subjected to constant shelling.

Settlement Expansion and Violence in the West Bank

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the evacuated West Bank settlement of Sanur, where he announced plans to rebuild the settlement and expand overall settlement activity. Israeli settlers—often accompanied by military protection—have escalated their attacks and land seizures. Activities included clearing land in Masafer Yatta for new outposts and road construction, carrying out attacks in the village of al-Mughayyer (Ramallah) and in the northern Jordan Valley, and stealing tents and agricultural equipment. Olive and grape trees in Hebron and Nablus were also destroyed. Human rights observers warn that these actions are part of a coordinated policy aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinian communities, particularly in Area “C,” where over 70 Bedouin communities have already been uprooted in 2025.

Reports of Forced Demolitions

In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities compelled Palestinian resident Hamza Amira to demolish his own home in the Sur Baher neighborhood. The demolition displaced 16 people, and Amira was threatened with heavy fines if municipal authorities were forced to carry out the demolition themselves.

US-based consultancy firm involved in drafting transfer scenarios for Gaza population

Reports have surfaced that a U.S.-based consultancy firm prepared scenarios for transferring Gaza’s population to foreign countries, including Somalia, Somaliland, Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE, with funding from Israeli business figures.

 

Date: August 7, 2025

Gaza Under Heavy Israeli Bombardment

Israeli forces launched extensive ground and air attacks across Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least 60 people and injuring over 400. The strikes targeted neighborhoods in eastern and southern Gaza City, including Al-Zaytoun, Al-Shuja'iya, and Al-Tuffah. Concurrently, the Israeli army issued new evacuation orders for residential blocks in Khan Younis, warning residents that the area would not be included in humanitarian pauses, urging them to move towards Al-Mawasi.

Gaza's Medical System Collapsing

According to Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal, Gaza's health system is no longer able to cope with the influx of hunger and injury cases due to continued Israeli aggression and the suffocating blockade. On the same day, 138 deaths and 771 injuries were reported, overwhelming Gaza's hospitals and further straining limited medical resources.

Aerial Images Reveal Gaza’s Massive Destruction

Recent aerial photos revealed widespread destruction across different areas of Gaza due to months of intensive Israeli bombardment. The images show entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, highlighting the scale of devastation.

West Bank: Widespread Demolitions and New Settler Outposts

Israeli forces conducted a large-scale demolition campaign across the West Bank, demolishing a five-story building, a home, and seven commercial facilities in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Settlers also began establishing a new outpost in Idhna. The demolitions affected over 50 families and included vital income-generating facilities.

UN and NGOs Warn Against Israeli Legislation

UN agencies and over 200 NGOs called on Israel to withdraw a new regulation requiring them to submit sensitive personal information about their Palestinian employees. They warned that such laws threaten their operational capacity in Gaza and the West Bank.

Report: Microsoft Aiding Israeli Surveillance

A joint report by The Guardian and others revealed that Microsoft granted Israel's Unit 8200 exclusive access to a private Azure cloud space to store and monitor phone calls from Gaza and the West Bank. This surveillance has reportedly been used in military operations since 2022.

Slovenia Bans Imports from Israeli Settlements

The Slovenian government officially banned imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and approved additional aid to Gaza. The move was justified by citing serious violations of international law by Israel, including forced displacement and illegal settlement expansion.

Starvation Crisis in Gaza: Families Eating Rotten Food

Due to extreme food shortages, many Gazans are resorting to eating expired and rotten canned goods, resulting in multiple cases of food poisoning. Civil Defense units reported transporting children and adults to hospitals after consuming spoiled food.

54 Missing at U.S. Aid Centers in Gaza

At least 54 people have gone missing at U.S. aid distribution centers in Gaza. Rights groups warn that Israeli forces have targeted these locations, making it impossible to recover bodies or identify victims. There are also reports of mass arrests, including children subjected to torture in Israeli detention.

Water Crisis Deepens in Gaza

Gaza faces a severe water shortage due to the destruction of infrastructure and contamination of groundwater. Residents often walk long distances and wait hours to collect minimal amounts of drinkable water. Oxfam reports that per capita water access has dropped to as little as 3–5 liters per day — far below emergency standards.

 

Date: August 5, 2025

Israeli Escalation in Gaza kills 95 in a Single Day

Israeli occupation forces escalated their military campaign in Gaza on Monday, carrying out intensified shelling and expanding ground operations in Khan Younis and northern parts of the Strip. Tanks advanced towards Al-Amal neighborhood amid continuous bombardment of homes, neighborhoods, and tents. This resulted in the killing of 95 Palestinians by late night, with over 350 injuries reported. Gaza hospitals recorded five new deaths due to famine and malnutrition within 24 hours, raising the total death toll from starvation to 180, including 93 children.

Dozens killed while waiting for Aid

At least 10 civilians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli gunfire targeting crowds gathered near a food aid distribution point on Salah Al-Din Street, near Wadi Gaza (Netsarim) in central Gaza. Israeli airstrikes also targeted aid security teams at Al-Tuwam roundabout in northwest Gaza, killing five and injuring seven others. In another incident, Israeli forces opened fire near Al-Tina and Al-Shakoush aid centers in northwest Rafah, killing seven civilians including a woman and injuring 30 more.

Doctor Killed During Airdropped Aid Operation

Dr. Adi Nahidh Al-Qar’an was killed when a humanitarian aid box fell on him during an aerial drop over the town of Al-Zawaida in central Gaza. The aid box reportedly struck him directly, leading to his death at the scene.

Jenin: One Killed, Two Injured in Armed Raid

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces raided a farming facility near Qabatiya, south of Jenin, leading to the killing of Yousef Imad Ibrahim Al-Amer (33) from Jenin Refugee Camp. Two others were injured: Qusai Amin Suleiman Al-Saadi and Siraj Mohammed Jamal Jabarin. The facility was besieged, followed by heavy gunfire and shelling using Energa grenades, resulting in a fire that completely destroyed the structure. Al-Amer’s charred body was later recovered by medics and identified by his family.

East Jerusalem: 17 Families Face Forced Eviction

In the Al-Sawwana neighborhood of East Jerusalem, 17 Palestinian families (around 140 individuals) are under imminent threat of displacement. Israeli authorities, specifically the enforcement unit under the Ministry of National Security led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, are preparing to demolish a five-story residential building. Despite legal appeals, the court has upheld the demolition order, and residents have been informed that the demolition may take place within days.

Starvation Deaths Confirmed by Forensic Doctor

Forensic doctor Imad Shehada from Gaza’s Al-Shifa Medical Complex has documented cases of starvation and malnutrition among the deceased. Victims arriving from Zikim crossing, where civilians gathered for food aid, showed signs of severe emaciation, dehydration, and injuries from live ammunition or bombardment. The doctor confirmed the overwhelming majority of bodies exhibited symptoms of extreme hunger, including frailty, sunken skin, and clear indicators of dehydration.

Pregnant Women and Newborns Facing Extreme Danger

UNFPA and other health sources have warned of a catastrophic situation for pregnant women in Gaza. One in three pregnancies is now classified as high-risk, and 40% of pregnant and breastfeeding women suffer from severe malnutrition. Many women are giving birth without access to basic healthcare, jeopardizing both maternal and infant survival. Nearly 20% of newborns are being delivered underweight or prematurely, with many not surviving.

Children Dying from Untreated Injuries

The NGO Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) reported a rapid spread of Guillain-Barré syndrome among children in Gaza, due to contaminated water and deteriorating health conditions. Children's wounds are festering due to the collapse of the healthcare system and weakened immunity from malnutrition. Many of these diseases had been eradicated globally but are now re-emerging in Gaza.

UNICEF: 28 Children Die Daily

According to UNICEF, an average of 28 children are dying daily in Gaza due to Israeli airstrikes, starvation, and the total collapse of healthcare and essential services. The organization emphasized that children are not only dying from bombs but also from preventable conditions related to hunger and lack of medical care.

UN Calls Gaza Starvation an Outrage to Humanity

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the situation in Gaza as “an affront to our humanity.” He urged Israel to immediately allow full access to humanitarian aid, stressing that withholding food from civilians could amount to a war crime and a crime against humanity.

 

Date: August 3rd – 4th, 2025

Children Forced to Survive on Salt Water

British surgeon Graeme Groom, who returned from a volunteer medical mission in Gaza, described horrific scenes, where children are forced to drink salt water to feel full. He called the humanitarian crisis "a man-made medieval horror," highlighting the suffering caused by deliberate starvation tactics being used in the war.

Settler Attack in Nablus Kills One, Injures Eight

A 24-year-old Palestinian, Ma'an Sobhi Asfar, was shot and killed, and eight others were injured, during an armed settler attack on the town of Aqraba, southeast of Nablus. According to eyewitnesses, settlers from a newly established outpost opened fire directly at residents. Later, Israeli occupation forces arrived to protect the settlers and also fired live ammunition at the local Palestinians.

Expansion of Illegal Israeli Settlements in Bethlehem

Israeli settlers established a new outpost east of Bethlehem. Simultaneously, Israeli forces carried out multiple incursions into Palestinian villages across the West Bank, reinforcing military presence around these newly built settler areas.

Death of 20-Year-Old Palestinian Detainee in Israeli Prison

Palestinian authorities confirmed the death of administrative detainee Ahmad Saeed Tazzaz’a, aged 20, from the town of Qabatiya, while held in the Israeli Megiddo prison. He had been detained since May 6, 2025. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but his death raised serious concerns about prison conditions and treatment of Palestinian detainees.