Six more people have died of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll from hunger-related causes to 175, including 93 children, since the outbreak of war in October 2023, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The grim update comes as Egyptian state television reported that two fuel trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel are expected to cross into the enclave on Sunday potentially offering a temporary reprieve for hospitals crippled by months-long fuel shortages.

The rare fuel delivery follows international pressure on Israel, which had imposed severe restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing efforts to force Hamas to release remaining hostages.

Israel blames Hamas for the humanitarian crisis but recently agreed to measures aimed at alleviating conditions, including limited pauses in fighting, protected aid routes, and coordinated airdrops.

However, UN agencies say airdrops fall far short of what’s needed and stress that more aid must be allowed in by land.

According to COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating aid, 35 trucks have entered Gaza since June, most in July.

But Hamas-run media counters that around 1,600 aid trucks have arrived since Israel’s partial easing of restrictions late last month, though many were reportedly looted by desperate civilians and armed groups.

In addition to starvation deaths, at least 40 people were killed on Sunday by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across Gaza, including individuals en route to aid distribution sites.

A Palestinian Red Crescent worker was among those killed when an Israeli strike sparked a fire at their headquarters in Khan Younis.

The war began after Hamas killed over 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages on October 7, 2023.

Gaza health authorities say more than 60,000 Palestinians have died since Israel’s retaliatory offensive began.

The family of Evyatar David, a 24-year-old Israeli hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, has accused the group of intentionally starving him as part of a propaganda effort.

Their statement came shortly after Hamas released a video showing Mr. David looking emaciated inside a narrow concrete tunnel.

In the video, Mr. David is heard saying, “I haven’t eaten for days… I barely got drinking water,” and is seen digging what he claims will be his own grave. The video has heightened concerns over his condition and the treatment of hostages taken during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The family described Evyatar as “a living skeleton, buried alive,” and called on the Israeli government and the international community to do everything possible to rescue him. They expressed distress over his dire condition and urged action.

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirmed that he had spoken to the families of Evyatar and another hostage, Rom Braslavski. US envoy Steve Witkoff also met with families of some hostages, emphasizing international concern.

In response to the crisis, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv in support of hostage release efforts. Since Hamas’s attack, Israel reports that it has seized 251 hostages, with 49 believed to still be held in Gaza—some of whom are presumed dead.

Amid ongoing tensions, aid agencies have criticized Israel for allegedly weaponizing food in its conflict with Hamas, accusations the Israeli government denies. Israel asserts that there is no starvation in Gaza and that it is not restricting aid, although many European nations, the UN, and other organizations dispute these claims.

Recently, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they had airdropped 90 aid packages into Gaza, in cooperation with several countries including the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, France, and Germany, aiming to improve humanitarian conditions.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry reports that seven more people, including a child, have died from malnutrition since the conflict intensified, bringing the total malnutrition-related deaths to 169, including 93 children. The ministry also reported at least 83 deaths and over 1,000 injuries in the past 24 hours from ongoing Israeli military operations.

Reports from Gaza, including from Al-Awda Hospital, indicate casualties near aid distribution points, with some hospitals receiving bodies of those killed by Israeli forces. The IDF states it has fired warning shots to prevent crowds from advancing towards military positions but emphasizes it is unaware of casualties resulting from these warnings.

Access to Gaza remains heavily restricted; international journalists face barriers to independent verification of claims. Israel maintains a blockade on aid deliveries since March, although some restrictions have been eased amid fears of famine. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza’s health authorities estimating over 60,000 deaths since the start of the Israeli military campaign, which began in response to the October 7 Hamas attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis.

Over one million young Catholics from around the world gathered in Rome for the culmination of a weeklong youth pilgrimage, marking a major milestone for the Vatican’s efforts to engage the next generation of the faithful.

The event, held during the Jubilee Holy Year, showcased the Church’s ability to mobilize and inspire youth on a grand scale.

Pope Leo XIV presided over the final Mass on Sunday, delivering a homily that challenged young people to seek true happiness and live with purpose. “There is a burning question in our hearts: what is true happiness? What is the meaning of life? Do not settle for less,” he urged, encouraging attendees to continue spreading their faith and enthusiasm back home.

The gathering was a vibrant mix of music, prayer, and cultural exchange, with young pilgrims from 146 countries filling the streets of Rome since Monday.

The atmosphere was described as festive and energetic, often likened to a Catholic “Woodstock,” with thousands camping out, singing, and waving flags under the bright Roman sun.

On Saturday evening, a twilight vigil led by the pope drew an estimated 800,000 to 1 million participants to an open-air space on Rome’s outskirts. The event featured lively religious bands, singing, and dancing, creating a colorful spectacle that symbolized unity and faith.

The week’s activities included turning the Circus Maximus into an open-air confessional, and participants enjoyed concerts and communal prayers.

The pope’s arrival by helicopter was met with thunderous applause, and many young people eagerly sought glimpses of him from the crowd.

This youth gathering marked Leo XIV’s first major event since his papacy began three months ago and was the first held in Rome in 25 years, since Pope John Paul II’s last pilgrimage.

Organised with input from former Pope Francis during World Youth Day, the event aimed to invigorate the Church’s future leaders and foster a global sense of community among young Catholics.