Gaza under siege: Rising death toll and starvation threat loom

(Web Desk): At least 34 Palestinians have been killed since Saturday morning, according to Palestinian health sources.

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis recieved at least 15 bodies, while another seven were brought to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, sources told Al-Jazeera.  Yet another six people were killed while waiting near an aid point in al-Akhawah. Besides, bodies were retrieved from different parts of the city.

Moreover, eight Palestinians were arrested in Hebron district, Wafa news agency reported.

Five of them were detained near a water spring in Nahalin Town, west of Bethelem. Two brothers were arrested by Israeli soldiers while tending to livestock near their home, and another person was arrested from Ash-Shuyukh Town, northeast of Hebron.

Meanwhile, health sources and aid agencies have warned of imminent threats to Gaza's health system and food supply in the enclave, Al Jazeera reported. The latter have warned that all residents in Gaza face the threat of famine after Israel imposed a severe blockade in March, blocking the entry of food, medicine and fuel.

Succumbing to international pressure, Israel allowed some aid to enter Gaza last month but operations were halted at aid distribution hubs earlier this week after Israeli forces opened fire near the sites.

Health services in Gaza are also at risk of collapsing. World Health Organization Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that Nasser Hospital and Al-Amal Hospital in southern Gaza are “at risk of becoming non-functional”.