Israel widened its assault on Gaza City overnight, with warplanes, tanks and what residents described as booby-trapped robots flattening homes on the eastern and northern fringes of the enclave’s largest urban centre. Reuters photographs showed flames lighting up the skyline as strikes pounded the Zeitoun, Sabra and Shejaia suburbs, while the army said it had redeployed forces in nearby Jabalia to destroy Hamas tunnels and “enable further operations”. The Gaza Health Ministry said the bodies of 64 people and 278 wounded reached hospitals during the past 24 hours. Separate hospital and witness accounts collected by the Associated Press said Israeli troops shot dead four Palestinians travelling through the Netzarim corridor south of Gaza City as they tried to reach a food-distribution point, adding to a growing tally of civilians killed while searching for aid. Humanitarian agencies say the offensive is unfolding against a backdrop of acute hunger. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification on 22 August declared that famine is already occurring in Gaza City and could spread south within weeks. UNICEF’s executive director told CBS that roughly 28 children die each day, while the Health Ministry put total malnutrition deaths at 289, more than a third of them infants. UNRWA’s Commissioner-General called the situation “hell in every sense” and urged Israel to lift restrictions on relief convoys. World Food Programme chief Cindy McCain told NHK that ongoing fighting and road closures are preventing the agency from moving sufficient supplies into the strip. Local emergency officials said ambulances are often barred from bombed areas, and hospitals complain of critical shortages of fuel, medicines and intravenous nutrition. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Katz has nevertheless vowed to press ahead with the Gaza City operation unless Hamas accepts Israel’s terms for an end to the war and releases remaining hostages. With total Palestinian fatalities now exceeding 62,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, aid groups warn that continued combat coupled with restricted access will deepen the famine and further complicate already overstretched rescue and medical efforts.