The ministry confirmed that the Palestinian death toll from the Israeli onslaught since 7 October has risen to 40,405 reported fatalities and 93,468 injuries, the majority of whom are women and children.

Some sources on the ground have told the Palestinian news agency WAFA that emergency services are unable to reach many casualties trapped under the rubble, as Israeli forces continue to obstruct the movement of the ambulance and civil defence crews.

Children malnutrition
 

The World Health Organization (WHO) said 14,750 Palestinian children between six months and five years of age have been diagnosed with acute malnutrition.

The UN agency added that most children under five in Gaza are spending entire days without eating anything at all. 

In addition, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said in a Friday update that the amount of food aid entering Gaza in July was one of the lowest since October when Israel imposed a full siege.

OCHA noted that in July the number of children with acute malnutrition in northern Gaza was four times higher than in May, while in the more accessible south, where fighting is less severe, the number is more than doubled.

Resuming talks
 

Egypt is hosting high-level talks in Cairo to bridge the gaps in an evolving proposal for a truce in the war-torn Gaza.

An Israeli delegation, headed by Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, is taking part in the talks, despite recent attacks by Hezbollah on Israel, Israeli media reported.

Hamas said it was sending delegates to Cairo but would not participate directly in the discussions.

The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have spent months trying to broker an end to the Israeli war in Gaza.