Egypt Daily News – As diplomatic tensions mount over the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen at an alarming rate. At least 42 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured early Tuesday in a series of Israeli airstrikes that targeted multiple areas across the besieged enclave, according to Palestinian media reports.
The deadliest of the attacks struck the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, where over 30 people mostly women and children were killed, according to a spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defense. Another airstrike near the Netzarim corridor, where civilians were reportedly waiting for humanitarian aid, left at least eight people dead and 30 others injured, according to medical officials at Al-Awda Hospital.
The relentless bombing campaign comes as the United Nations issues one of its starkest warnings yet. A senior UN official stated that the “worst-case scenario of famine is no longer a risk—it is happening now in Gaza.” The situation has deteriorated rapidly in recent months, with widespread displacement, collapsed healthcare systems, and dwindling access to food, water, and medical supplies. Aid agencies report that entire communities are living in conditions of near-starvation, especially in central and southern parts of the Strip.
Meanwhile, Israel’s political leadership has doubled down on its rejection of international calls for the recognition of a Palestinian state. In a pointed statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “International pressure on Tel Aviv will be ineffective. Recognizing a Palestinian state means empowering Hamas to govern.”
His remarks come in response to recent signals from the United Kingdom that it may unilaterally recognize the State of Palestine in September, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly session, if Israel fails to make substantive moves to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has positioned the move as part of an effort to salvage the two-state solution, while reiterating the UK’s commitment to Israel’s security and its stance against Hamas.
Despite these assurances, the violence on the ground and Israel’s hardline rhetoric suggest that prospects for de-escalation remain dim. With civilian casualties mounting by the day and international aid efforts hampered by ongoing conflict, pressure is growing on world powers to intervene diplomatically and address what aid groups now openly call one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the 21st century.
The weeks leading up to September could prove pivotal, not only for the people of Gaza but also for the broader international consensus on how to end the decades-long conflict. Whether meaningful change is possible remains uncertain, but for many in Gaza, survival has become a question of hours, not months.
