Main events on July 27th
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had been “forced” to allow some aid into Gaza amid growing international pressure over the spread of starvation in the Strip due to Israel’s near-total blockade on assistance.
- Humanitarian groups welcomed steps to ease restrictions but said aid entering Gaza remains a tiny portion of what is needed.
- At least 63 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza, including 34 who were killed while waiting for aid.
- Israel continues to detain 11 of the 21 foreign activists on board the Freedom Flotilla’s Handala ship, seizing it yesterday as the vessel attempted to break the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that nearly one in five children under the age of five in Gaza City is now suffering from acute malnutrition, a figure that has tripled since June.
Crew of aid ship Handala interrogated by Israeli security
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reports that the crew members of the Handala have been interrogated by Israeli authorities and will be transferred to the police. Israeli forces detained the crew members around midnight last night.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry previously stated that efforts to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip — which has caused widespread starvation in Gaza — are dangerous, illegal, and undermine humanitarian relief efforts.
Human rights defender Huwaida Arraf said she was released by Israeli authorities after refusing to sign a pledge not to return again, and called for continued focus on lifting the siege on Gaza.
Israeli authorities continue to detain 11 other activists who were aboard the ship, who have reportedly gone on a hunger strike.
