**Israeli Strikes in Gaza Escalate, Death Toll Rises Amidst Humanitarian Crisis**

In a significant escalation of violence, at least 16 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Friday, as reported by the territory’s civil defence agency. Israel continues its military offensive despite growing warnings from international aid organizations about worsening malnutrition and potential famine amongst the Palestinian population.

Mohammed al-Mughayyir, an official from the Hamas-run Gaza civil defence agency, informed Agence France-Presse that the attacks primarily targeted central and southern regions of Gaza, wounding dozens. This latest assault brings the Palestinian death toll to nearly 70 over the past 48 hours, with 52 fatalities recorded on Thursday alone.

The Israeli army acknowledged its ongoing operations in Gaza, stating that their forces targeted "military compounds, weapons storage facilities, and sniper posts." The Israeli Air Force reportedly struck over 75 terror-related targets throughout the Gaza Strip within the past day.

UN agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent have sounded the alarm about a looming famine, exacerbated by more than three months of an Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid. Majed Abu Ramadan, the Palestinian Authority health minister based in the West Bank, revealed that 29 children have died recently due to starvation-related causes, alongside numerous elderly individuals.

Partial control of the West Bank remains under the Palestinian Authority, while the Gaza Strip has been governed by Hamas since 2007. In response to global pressure, Israel has recently permitted limited aid deliveries into Gaza. On Thursday, 107 aid trucks carrying essential supplies such as food, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals entered the territory, according to the Israeli military.

Despite these efforts, humanitarian organizations stress that the aid provided is insufficient to address the severe crisis. Images and videos of malnourished Palestinian children continue to spur international outrage, with Israel facing accusations of breaching humanitarian law by imposing conditions that lead to civilian starvation.

Recent analyses by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) indicate a dire forecast, projecting that nearly 71,000 children under five in Gaza might become acutely malnourished over the next 11 months, with 14,100 cases expected to be severe. Since March, Israel has imposed a blockade, alleging that Hamas misappropriates the aid for its fighters, a claim Hamas denies. A global hunger monitor has recently stated that half a million people in Gaza are at risk of starvation.

Unicef reported that over 9,000 children in Gaza have been treated for malnutrition this year, with expectations that this number will increase significantly. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has condemned the blockade on humanitarian aid as a direct violation of UN Security Council resolution 2720, emphasizing that these actions create conditions that could lead to the eradication of Palestinian lives in Gaza.

In political developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated Maj Gen David Zini to head the domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, after months of controversy surrounding the dismissal of current head Ronen Bar. Bar had been investigating Netanyahu's aides for alleged national security breaches, leading to his contentious sacking in March, a move later ruled unlawful by Israel’s supreme court.

Netanyahu’s office has stressed the urgency of appointing Zini, citing national security concerns, and clarified that the new Shin Bet head will not engage in ongoing investigations linked to Qatari influences and other serious matters under Bar's scrutiny. Bar suggested his removal was tied to his investigations into security breaches and attacks, adding another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.