NAHARIYA, Israel (AP) — As tensions escalate, Israel has announced preparations to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza amidst plans for a military offensive in heavily populated areas. This decision comes as families of Israeli hostages are pleading for help, fearing the impending military actions could put their loved ones in even greater danger.

The Israeli body overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza, known as COGAT, has stated that it will resume supplying tents to the territory starting Sunday. Although the military has not disclosed the timeline for relocating Palestinians, Defense Minister Israel Katz hinted at ongoing discussions to finalize plans aimed at defeating Hamas. The stakes are high, with the lives of many hanging in the balance.

In a parallel and heart-wrenching development, families of hostages taken during the ongoing conflict have called for a nationwide day of stoppage in Israel to voice their frustration after 22 months of warfare. This rallying cry reflects the pain and anxiety of those who fear for the lives of the 50 hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza. The recent release of distressing videos showing emaciated hostages pleading for food and help has intensified their fears, prompting even former military leaders to advocate for a resolution to the conflict.

On Sunday, a coalition representing the families will urge Israelis to participate in various peaceful demonstrations. One of the representatives, Dana Silberman Sitton, shared her hope at a rally in Tel Aviv, urging that change must come from the people, not just the leadership. With palpable emotion, Pushpa Joshi, whose brother was kidnapped from a kibbutz, expressed her yearning for her best friend while standing in solidarity with others in similar circumstances.

The tragedy continued as an Israeli airstrike struck Gaza, killing a baby girl along with her parents, underscoring the dire humanitarian situation. Witnesses recounted the devastation in Muwasi, a densely populated area, as officials from Nasser Hospital confirmed the tragedy. A neighbor lamented, “What has she done?” questioning the wisdom of targeting civilians in supposedly safe zones.

Israel's military has remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of the airstrike, stating only that it aims to dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities while taking precautions to avoid civilian casualties. Yet, with plans to extend the military offensive into Gaza City and central camps, anxiety looms over the future of the hostages and the civilians caught in the crossfire.

As if that weren’t enough to bear, the Health Ministry in Gaza reported an additional 11 deaths attributed to malnutrition over the past 24 hours, including one child. This grim statistic brings the total number of malnutrition-related fatalities in the territory to 251 since the onset of the war. The United Nations has warned that starvation and malnutrition rates in Gaza are at an all-time high, with many Palestinians resorting to drinking contaminated water as diseases proliferate.

A 20-year-old Palestinian woman suffering from severe malnutrition tragically died after being transferred to Italy for treatment, illustrating the depths of despair that many are facing. The ongoing conflict complicates efforts to deliver essential food and aid to over two million people in Gaza, with Israeli restrictions making distribution challenging.

The U.N. reports stark figures of casualties and suffering. A total of 1,760 people were killed while seeking aid between May 27 and a recent Wednesday, with thousands more perishing in the conflict. Conversely, Israel's retaliatory actions have resulted in an estimated 61,897 deaths in Gaza, raising critical questions about the humanitarian implications of military strategy and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.