UN warns thousands of Gaza babies could die without aid

The United Nations has warned that 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within the next 48 hours if urgent humanitarian aid is not delivered.

Tom Fletcher, the UN's humanitarian chief, told BBC Radio's Today programme that despite Israel lifting an 11-week blockade on Monday, only five lorries of aid have entered the besieged territory so far, and none has yet reached those in need.

"I want to save as many of these 14,000 babies as we can in the next 48 hours," Fletcher said, calling for immediate international action to ensure aid reaches vulnerable civilians.

Meanwhile, overnight Israeli air strikes killed at least 38 Palestinians in just 30 minutes, according to local medics. The renewed bombardment comes as the United Kingdom, France, and Canada jointly urged Israel to halt its intensified military offensive and to allow a greater flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “the war can end tomorrow” if Hamas releases all hostages and lays down arms. According to Israeli authorities, around 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with up to 23 believed to be alive.