World Desk

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at broader military operations in Gaza, despite rising domestic pressure from former military and intelligence leaders calling for an end to the protracted conflict.

The remarks came amid a staggering humanitarian toll, as Gaza's Health Ministry reported the Palestinian death count has now exceeded 61,000. On Tuesday, several Palestinians seeking food aid were killed, further intensifying global concern over the crisis. In response, Israel's defense agency overseeing aid pledged to ease restrictions through a new arrangement with local merchants to improve access.

In a rare public statement, former chiefs of Israel’s military, Mossad, and Shin Bet — joined by ex-Prime Minister Ehud Barak — criticized far-right elements in the government for prolonging the war. In a video circulated online, Yoram Cohen, former Shin Bet head, dismissed Netanyahu’s war goals as unrealistic.

“It’s a fantasy to believe we can reach every terrorist and weapon while also securing the release of all hostages,” Cohen said.

Cabinet meets on next phase of war

Netanyahu held a Security Cabinet meeting Tuesday to discuss the military's next steps, suggesting a possible intensification of operations. However, no immediate decisions were announced.

Reports in Israeli media suggest friction between Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. The prime minister is reportedly pressing for a full takeover of Gaza, a move critics say could jeopardize the lives of hostages and worsen the humanitarian situation. Zamir is said to oppose the strategy and may resign if it proceeds. The Israeli military has not commented on the reports.

Civilians killed amid food desperation

At least 45 Palestinians were killed Tuesday in central and southern Gaza, including in incidents where Israeli forces reportedly fired on crowds near aid distribution sites. Gaza’s Health Ministry said 26 people died in the Morag Corridor — a military zone — where desperate residents were looting UN aid convoys. Another six were killed in Teina, near a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli-approved American aid contractor.

Al-Awda hospital confirmed receiving bodies of six people killed in similar circumstances near a GHF site. While the GHF reported no incidents at its facilities on Tuesday, violence continues to erupt around UN-operated distributions.

The Health Ministry, run by Hamas, does not distinguish between civilians and militants, though it says roughly half of the casualties are women and children. Despite this, the UN and international agencies generally consider its data credible.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes. Sami Arafat, a father of seven, said the area near the Morag Corridor was a "rubble-strewn battlefield," where Israeli forces opened fire as people swarmed aid trucks. Looters reportedly seized sugar to resell, ignoring basic staples like rice.

Mounting hunger and desperation

Mohammed Qassas, a father from Khan Younis, said he has no choice but to fight for food. “If we fight, we get food. If not, we starve,” he said.

Witnesses say many men return from food lines not just with flour, but with the bodies of those killed.

While Israel has recently relaxed some restrictions to allow private-sector aid entry, aid agencies say the measures are insufficient. Airdrops from international allies continue, but the UN calls them inefficient and risky compared to ground convoys.

Grief and fury on the ground

The toll of the war is reflected daily in funeral prayers across Gaza. “We are unarmed people — we can’t take this anymore,” cried Maryam Abu Hatab outside Nasser Hospital.

Ekram Nasr, who lost her son to Israeli fire, described retrieving his body alone. “I picked up the pieces of my child from the streets — like scraps of meat,” she said. “The world is watching, but we are at our limit.”