May 22, 2025: Israeli air strikes have killed at least 82 people in Gaza in the past 24 hours (on May 21, 2025), according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and local hospitals. The victims include several women and a week-old infant. The attacks come as the humanitarian situation in Gaza grows worse, with desperately needed aid still not reaching the people who need it most.

Ongoing Violence and Rising Death Toll

The Israeli military has continued its offensive across the Gaza Strip, targeting homes and shelters. In the last week alone, more than 500 people have died due to Israeli strikes, bringing the total death toll since the war began to over 53,600. More than 121,950 people have been wounded.

The strikes have hit residential areas, including two homes and a school sheltering displaced families. The city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza was among the places warned by Israel to evacuate ahead of what the military called an “unprecedented attack”. 

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Despite Israel agreeing to allow some humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza after an 11-week blockade, the United Nations says the aid has not been distributed. On Tuesday, dozens of trucks carrying food, baby formula, and medical supplies crossed into Gaza, but aid workers were unable to move the supplies to distribution points. The Israeli military required that the aid be reloaded onto separate trucks, and workers ran out of time before they could deliver it. 

UN agencies estimate that about 600 trucks per day are needed to meet the basic needs of Gaza’s 2.3 million people. However, only a handful of trucks have entered, and none of the supplies have reached the population so far. 

International Pressure and Local Challenges

The ongoing violence and lack of aid have led to increased international criticism of Israel. The United Nations and several countries have called for a ceasefire and for aid to flow freely into Gaza. Some Israeli activists have even tried to block aid trucks, arguing that no aid should be allowed while Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, but police have kept them away from the border crossing. 

The situation remains dire. Food, water, and medicine are running out, and experts warn of a looming famine. Many families in Gaza are struggling to survive as the conflict continues and humanitarian relief remains out of reach. 

The world watches as the people of Gaza wait for help that has yet to arrive.