Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has recently returned from a visit to Gaza, where she witnessed the humanitarian crisis first-hand. Alongside her ongoing international advocacy, Clark continues to champion issues closer to home, including pay equity for women and the importance of ensuring women’s voices are heard in politics.
Israeli strikes intensify around Gaza City, targeting its eastern and northern outskirts. These continuous attacks continue into neighborhoods like Zeitoun and Shejaia, with non-stop explosions reported overnight. Israel is preparing for a full-scale offensive in Gaza City, codenamed “Gideon’s Chariots B.” Deployment of tanks and mobilization of over 60,000 reservists are underway, with evacuation orders potentially impacting up to 1 million Gazans.
For the first time, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has officially declared a famine in Gaza City and surrounding regions. Over 500,000 people-about 25% of the population-are facing catastrophic hunger. Child malnutrition and famine-related deaths are rising sharply. UNICEF’s executive director denounced debates over the severity of hunger as “kind of obscene,” calling instead for an urgent humanitarian response. According to UNICEF estimates, approximately 18,000 children may have died since the conflict began.
A World Health Organization (WHO) staff member detained by Israeli forces in Gaza over four weeks ago has finally been released. Four Palestinians were shot dead near Gaza City while attempting to reach aid distribution points, according to witnesses. The Gaza Health Ministry states that more than 2,000 people have been killed and 15,000+ injured over the course of the conflict while trying to gather aid.
