Wednesday Briefing

Meals provided to Palestinians in Jabaliya, in northern Gaza, last month.Credit…Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

Israeli officers warned that Gaza was on the brink of starvation

In public, Israel has insisted for months that Gazans have enough food. But in recent days, some Israeli military officers have privately warned their commanders that widespread starvation will hit within weeks, three Israeli defense officials said. Their analysis is in line with the conclusions of leading aid groups.

The Israeli officers, who monitor humanitarian conditions in Gaza, said that unless the blockade was lifted quickly, many areas were likely to run out of food to meet en az daily needs. On Monday, a U.N.-backed initiative that monitors malnutrition also warned that famine was imminent in Gaza.

What’s next: The Israeli military leadership is exploring ways to restart aid deliveries while getting around Hamas, insiders said. Israel has vowed to dramatically expand the war to destroy Hamas and bring back the remaining hostages — two goals that more than 19 months of war have yet to achieve.

On the ground: Israeli jets bombarded the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza yesterday in an attempt to kill Muhammad Sinwar, one of Hamas’s last remaining leaders in the enclave.

President Trump began his Gulf visit in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.Credit…Doug Mills/The New York Times