Fri Aug 01 17:40:10 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text, written from an Indian perspective (as much as possible, given the direct information provided):
**Summary:**
A dire humanitarian crisis continues in Gaza as the Israeli military is accused of deliberately using starvation as a weapon of war. The UN reports that over 1,373 Palestinians have been killed since late May 2025 while seeking aid, the majority by Israeli forces. Human Rights Watch has also condemned the Israeli military’s actions. Aid distribution, particularly through U.S.-backed initiatives, is described as chaotic and deadly. The Israeli military says it works to minimize friction and accuses Hamas of impeding aid distribution. Meanwhile, a special envoy from the US and the Foreign Minister of Germany are engaged in talks with Israeli leaders to address the humanitarian crisis and secure the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants. The Islamic Jihad released a video of a German-Israeli hostage pleading for release, increasing pressure on the Israeli government. The conflict, now nearing its 23rd month, has resulted in the deaths of over 60,000 Palestinians and has triggered warnings of mass starvation.
**News Article:**
**Gaza Aid Turned Bloodbath: UN, Rights Groups Accuse Israel of Starvation Tactics**
**Gaza City, August 1, 2025 (The Hindu) -** As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict drags into its 23rd month, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with the UN and Human Rights Watch accusing the Israeli military of deliberately using starvation as a weapon of war. Reports detail hundreds of Palestinians being killed while desperately seeking food, many at U.S.-backed aid distribution points.
According to the UN’s rights office, at least 1,373 Gazans have been killed since May 27, 2025, while attempting to access desperately needed aid. The majority of these deaths are attributed to Israeli military actions near aid distribution sites and along U.N. and aid agency convoy routes. Human Rights Watch’s report released Friday detailed that the U.S backed Israeli forces turn these aid distributions into regular bloodbaths.
“Israeli forces are not only deliberately starving Palestinian civilians, but they are now gunning them down almost every day as they desperately seek food for their families,” said Belkis Wille of Human Rights Watch.
The situation has drawn international concern. A special envoy from the United States, Mr. Witkoff, has arrived in Israel to discuss the conflict and the humanitarian crisis with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also met with Netanyahu and delivered a stark warning about the looming threat of mass starvation, urging the government to increase humanitarian aid.
“The humanitarian disaster in Gaza is beyond imagination,” Wadephul stated after his meeting with Netanyahu.
Adding to the tension, Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad released a video of German-Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski, pleading for his release. The video has intensified pressure on the Israeli government to secure the release of the 49 remaining hostages held in Gaza.
“Even the strongest person has a breaking point,” said the hostage’s family in a statement.
The Israeli military has defended its operations, stating that its soldiers operate in proximity to the aid distribution areas to ensure orderly delivery, and accusing Hamas of attempting to disrupt the process. They further stated that they work to minimize friction with civilians.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 60,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas-run Gaza’s health ministry, and has pushed the region to the brink of famine. The international community is increasingly urging for an immediate ceasefire and a significant increase in humanitarian aid to prevent further loss of life. The crisis serves as a sobering reminder of the human cost of protracted conflict and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.
First Piper 