Gaza: UN warns 14,000 babies face death in the next 48 hours

The United Nations has warned that 14,000 babies could die in Gaza in the next 48 hours, unless aid supplies reach critical areas in Gaza soon. 

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has warned of a need to "flood" Gaza with humanitarian aid, amid claims that thousands of the region's youngest children face imminent death due to a lack of basic food and medical supplies. 

Calling the 14,000 figure "extraordinary" and "utterly chilling", Fletcher said it was based on evidence from "strong teams on the ground… of course many of them have been killed."

The UN says it received permission from Israel for about 100 more aid trucks to enter Gaza on Tuesday. It comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told fellow lawmakers that "our best friends in the world" were warning that international support for his country was draining away, and that Israel was approaching a "red line, to a point where we might lose control."

However in a video message on his Telegram channel, he reiterated Israel's aim to achieve "complete victory" over the whole of Gaza, with both the release of the 58 hostages still held by Hamas and the destruction of the militant group. 

"We must act in a way that cannot be stopped," he said. 

Israel ended its 11-week aid blockade on Gaza at the weekend, but Netanyahu had previously pledged to keep aid minimal, with "a basic amount of food (preventing) a starvation crisis." 

The UN claims of the nine aid trucks cleared to enter the strip on Monday, only five passed the Kerem Shalom crossing. Fletcher has described the level of supplies entering Gaza as a "drop in the ocean".

UK suspends Israel trade talks, Europe considers ending free trade

The UK has suspended negotiations with Israel on a new free trade agreement, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in parliament.

"We have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement," Lammy told the House of Commons. "We will be reviewing co-operation with them under the 2030 bilateral roadmap. The Netanyahu government's actions have made this necessary."

The move came after the UK, France and Canada have threatened Israel with sweeping new sanctions if the current offensive continues and aid is once more blocked. Failing this, "we will take further concrete actions in response," a joint statement read. 

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney had denounced the new military campaign as "wholly disproportionate," saying they would not "stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions.” 

France's foreign minister has described Israel's plans for aid provision as "completely insufficient". Jean-Noël Barrot said humanitarian supplies to Gaza must be "immediate, massive and without hindrance". He added that France is "determined" to recognize a Palestinian state, saying "we cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred." 

In response, Netanyahu said the three NATO member states were "offering a huge prize" to Hamas and had proved themselves "on the wrong side of history." He again said aid supplies intended for Palestinian civilians were being seized by militants.

Manewhile, the EU's top diplomat warned that the bloc's association agreement with Israel could be suspended in light of the ongoing events in Gaza. 

Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission, told reporters: "The Dutch foreign minister has put forward a proposal to do the review of Article 2 of our association agreement with Israel and we will discuss this."

Of the aid situation, Kallas added: "There are thousands of trucks behind the borders waiting. It is European money that has funded this humanitarian aid, and it has to reach the people."

'Operation Gideon's Chariots'

Israeli air strikes killed at least 50 Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday, according to local health authorities. Women and children were among the 18 dead when two houses were struck in the southern city of Khan Younis, along with a school housing displaced families. 

The Israeli military began its new offensive named 'Operation Gideon's Chariots' on Gaza on Friday, warning residents of Khan Younis on Monday to evacuate to the coast immediately as "an unprecedented attack" was planned. Hamas-backed authorities say Israeli strikes have killed more than 500 people in the past eight days as bombardment has intensified.