NAHARIYA, Israel — Israel announced on Saturday plans to relocate Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza as it prepares for a military offensive in densely populated areas. The Israeli military's humanitarian aid division, COGAT, stated that the supply of tents to Gaza would resume on Sunday. However, the military did not specify when the mass relocation would commence. Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated on social media that discussions are ongoing to finalize a plan aimed at defeating Hamas in Gaza.

As tensions rise, families of Israeli hostages have called for a nationwide day of stoppage on Sunday to voice their frustration over the ongoing conflict, which has lasted 22 months. These families are particularly concerned that the impending military action could further jeopardize the 50 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, with only 20 thought to be alive. Recent videos showing emaciated hostages pleading for help have intensified their fears.

The families, along with supporters, are urging the government to negotiate a ceasefire. Some former Israeli military and intelligence leaders have echoed this sentiment in recent weeks. A statement from a group representing the families emphasized, "Across the country, hundreds of citizen-led initiatives will pause daily life and join the most just and moral struggle: the struggle to bring all 50 hostages home."

Dana Silberman Sitton, whose relatives were killed in captivity, expressed hope during a rally in Tel Aviv, stating, "I want to believe that there is hope, and it will not come from above, it will come only from us." Pushpa Joshi, sister of a kidnapped Nepalese student, added, "I miss my best friend."

In a tragic incident, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed a baby girl and her parents on Saturday, according to hospital officials and witnesses. The family was struck while in their tent in the crowded Muwasi area. Neighbor Fathi Shubeir questioned the attack, saying, "Two and a half months, what has she done? They are civilians in an area designated safe."

The Israeli military stated it could not comment on the specific airstrike without further details but emphasized its commitment to dismantling Hamas' military capabilities while taking precautions to avoid civilian casualties. Muwasi is among the areas where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the military offensive will expand, alongside Gaza City and central refugee camps.

In addition to the airstrike, the Health Ministry in Gaza reported 11 more deaths related to malnutrition over the past 24 hours, including one child. This brings the total malnutrition-related deaths during the conflict to 251. The United Nations has warned that starvation and malnutrition levels in Gaza are at their highest since the conflict began. Many Palestinians are resorting to drinking contaminated water as diseases spread, while discussions about mass relocation continue among some Israeli leaders.

A 20-year-old Palestinian woman, described as being in a "state of severe physical deterioration," died after being transferred from Gaza to Italy for medical treatment. The U.N. and its partners have noted that delivering food and aid to the territory's over 2 million residents remains extremely challenging due to Israeli restrictions and the overwhelming demand from starving Palestinians.

The U.N. human rights office reported that at least 1,760 people were killed while seeking aid between May 27 and Wednesday, with 766 fatalities occurring along supply routes and 994 near non-U.N. militarized sites. The conflict, which began with a Hamas-led attack in October 2023, has resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in Israel. In response, Israel's military actions have reportedly killed 61,897 people in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between fighters and civilians but states that around half of the casualties are women and children. Israel disputes these figures but has not provided alternative statistics.