At least 83 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to local health officials. Eight children also reportedly died from starvation and malnutrition.

Al Jazeera reports that among the dead, 58 were unarmed civilians en route to a food distribution center operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the US and Israel. Despite repeated pleas to cease fire, Israeli forces opened fire on the aid-seekers.

In response to the worsening crisis, US President Donald Trump announced $60 million in food aid for Gaza. “People in Gaza are not getting enough food. We are trying to feed them,” Trump said, stressing the urgency of addressing logistical challenges.

However, the US-led aid initiative has drawn criticism. Allegations include the distribution of spoiled or inedible supplies, and the disclosure of aid locations and timings to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), which critics claim is enabling targeted attacks on civilians. Despite international concerns, Israel has shown little willingness to alter its actions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly decided to pursue a full military takeover of the Gaza Strip, despite strong opposition from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the potential risk to hostages still held by Hamas.

According to a report by The Times of Israel on Monday (August 4), Netanyahu is expected to seek cabinet approval for the plan within the week. Several ministers have confirmed that Netanyahu has privately used the word “takeover” in conversations, signaling a significantly more aggressive military stance toward Gaza.

A senior official close to Netanyahu told Israeli media outlet Walla: “The decision has been made. We are going to take full control of Gaza.” The official added that operations would extend even into areas where hostages are believed to be held. “If the Chief of Staff disagrees, he should resign,” the source was quoted as saying.

However, Israeli military leadership appears divided. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has reportedly expressed opposition to the full occupation plan. Currently, IDF controls about 75% of Gaza. The new plan would expand operations to the remaining areas, effectively bringing the entire strip under Israeli military control.

Military officials have warned that such a move could take years due to the extensive underground infrastructure developed by Hamas. They also raised concerns that an intensified operation may place the lives of hostages at immediate risk.

Humanitarian organizations and international observers have also raised alarms about the potential consequences for Gaza’s civilian population and ongoing aid efforts, should Israel proceed with full-scale occupation.

While Netanyahu has announced plans to convene the cabinet soon to discuss the next steps, some analysts suggest he may ultimately urge patience to allow negotiations for hostage releases to continue.

TEL AVIV, Aug — The ongoing war in Gaza is taking a severe toll on the mental health of Israeli soldiers, with suicide rates climbing sharply, experts say. They cite prolonged psychological stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and “moral injury” from involvement in or witnessing violence against civilians as key drivers of the crisis.

Between 2023 and mid-2025, around 50 soldiers died by suicide — up from 11 in 2021 and 14 in 2022. Military data shows that from October to December 2023 alone, 28 soldiers took their own lives.

Recent cases include reservist Ariel Meir Taman on July 27 and PTSD-diagnosed Daniel Edri on July 5. Two other soldiers died in what authorities call “suspected suicides” in July, and paratrooper corporal Dan Philipson died after a suicide attempt on July 15.

The crisis is compounded by falling troop return rates: state figures say 80% of reservists have returned to duty, but broadcaster KAN reports the rate is closer to 60%, leaving an estimated 100,000 who have not come back. In April, about 1,000 Air Force personnel urged an end to the war, while over 100 senior officers signed a letter in May branding the campaign a “war crime” and warning of its psychological toll.

Since the war began, nearly 16,000 soldiers have received mental health care and 3,770 have been formally diagnosed with PTSD. Experts warn that moral injury and trauma could trigger an even deeper mental health crisis among the next generation of troops.

According to Palestinian sources, Israel’s Gaza offensive has killed about 60,000 people, including more than 17,000 children, with many survivors severely wounded or maimed — violence that researchers say is central to the breakdown among soldiers.