First aid ship heads to Gaza, where 2 million face threat of starvation: Live updates

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Tuesday, March 12. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our live updates file on the war for Wednesday, March 13.

The first humanitarian aid ship using a new maritime corridor departed Cyprus on Tuesday and headed to Gaza, where more than 2 million people face an increasing threat of starvation and reports of malnutrition-related deaths are rising, according to health officials and aid organizations.

The vessel, towing a barge with 200 tons of food collected by World Central Kitchen − a nonprofit founded by celebrity chef José Andrés − carries the first shipment of aid sent by sea to the war-torn territory since the war started. While its load of rice, flour and protein is not near enough to head off a famine, officials said many more ships will take the same journey in the coming days and weeks.

"The departure of the first ship is a sign of hope. We will work hard together for many more ships to follow," said Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. "We will do everything in our power for aid to reach Palestinians."

Last week, the EU, U.S. and other allies announced the maritime route from Cyprus, an island on the eastern Mediterranean Sea about 200 miles from Gaza. This first shipment, which was initially scheduled to depart Friday, is being transported by the Spanish nonprofit Open Arms. When it gets close to Gaza in about two days, two smaller vessels will tow the barge to a jetty being built by World Central Kitchen and distribute the food in the ravaged north, the group said.

President Joe Biden announced during his State of the Union address that U.S. troops will construct a floating pier on the coast of Gaza that could deliver 2 million daily meals. A ship with equipment for the dock's construction left for Gaza over the weekend. U.S. officials have said it would take weeks and about 1,000 troops to build the structure.

Across the enclave, a quarter of the population of 2.3 million is on the brink of famine, according to the U.N. The food shortage and exorbitant prices for what's available are especially dire in the north amid Israel's restrictions on aid coming into Gaza. Over the last several weeks, more than two dozen people in the territory, including toddlers, have suffered malnutrition-related deaths, according to health officials.

Developments:

∎ The World Food Program said it delivered Tuesday enough food to Gaza City for 25,000 people, calling it the "first successful convoy to the north since 20 February'' and calling for more direct entry points into the battered area.

∎ Israel said it brought a six-truck convoy with humanitarian aid directly into northern Gaza on Tuesday evening as part of a pilot program to study the feasibility of providing more food to the region.

∎ Nine people were killed and dozens injured when Israeli forces opened fire on crowds trying to get access to aid trucks in Gaza City's Kuwait Square, Reuters reported, citing Palestinian health officials.

∎ Negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage deal remain stalled. Majed Al-Ansari, spokesman for Qatar's Foreign Ministry, said Tuesday an agreement is not close. CIA Director William Burns said in a House hearing "there’s still the possibility'' of a deal, but many obstacles remain.

∎ The Palestinian Red Crescent Society, an independent aid group, said in a statement Tuesday there's been a concerning rise in "attacks and violations" targeting its medical missions in the occupied West Bank. The group has documented about 446 "violations," and 98 specifically targeted medical crews.

Dual U.S.-Israeli citizen was killed on Oct. 7, Israeli military says

The Israeli military on Tuesday said Itay Chen, a 19-year-old soldier with dual Israeli-American citizenship who was previously believed to be held hostage in Gaza, is dead.

Chen was killed Oct. 7 and his body was taken to Gaza, where it is currently located, the Israeli military said. Chen served in the Israeli Army's 75th Battalion. He is survived by his parents and two brothers.

In an opinion article published in USA TODAY, Ruby Chen described his son as "a fun-loving kid who loves playing basketball with his brothers." The elder Chen had met with U.S. officials including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and called on them and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to secure the release of hostages, including his son.

Biden said in a statement Tuesday he was "devastated" to learn of Itay Chen's death and said he will continue working to bring the remaining hostages home.

"Today, as we join Itay’s parents, brothers, and family in grieving this tragic loss, we keep this reminder close to our hearts," Biden said. "And I reaffirm my pledge to all the families of those still held hostage: we are with you. We will never stop working to bring your loved ones home."

On Monday, Ruby Chen said in a statement: "Our hearts are broken. We loved him so much, and we would have done anything to bring him home alive," Haaretz reported.

US touts six-week truce, says it could become 'more enduring'

The White House is highlighting the possibility that the proposed six-week cease-fire may turn into a longer peaceful stretch as it tries to restart stalled negotiations for a truce between Israel and Hamas and the release of hostages.

Hamas leaders insist on a permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which Israel refuses as Netanyahu vows to crush the militant group. Israel has agreed to a 40-day truce and a 10-to-1 ratio in the release of Palestinian prisoners for 40 hostages held in Gaza, Reuters reported.

"A ceasefire is on the table today for six weeks, to be built on into something more enduring, if Hamas would simply release women, wounded and elderly," national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Tuesday.

Netanyahu maintains Israel will 'finish the job in Rafah'

Netanyahu continues to reiterate his public position that Israel will bring its offensive against Hamas into the southern city of Rafah, although he hasn't provided a timeframe.

The beginning of Ramadan, once regarded as an unofficial deadline for the Rafah invasion, took place between Sunday and Monday without a major operation, to the relief of the estimated 1.4 million Palestinians sheltering in and around the border city.

"We will finish the job in Rafah while enabling the civilian population to get out of harm's way," Netanyahu told a conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee − a pro-Israel lobbying group − in a video address.

The U.S. and multiple aid organizations have strongly voiced their opposition to the invasion.

Israel strikes targets in northern Lebanon; at least 2 dead

A pair of Israeli airstrikes hit targets deep in northern Lebanon on Tuesday, killing at least two people and injuring at least 20 others, the Associated Press reported, citing a Lebanese security official.

The strikes, which destroyed a warehouse, came after more than 100 rockets were fired toward northern Israel, the Israeli military said on X. Iran-backed Hezbollah militants and Israel have exchanged strikes along the Israel-Lebanon border since the war started, and they have escalated in death toll and damage, raising fears of a larger regional war. On Tuesday, the Israeli military said it also hit two targets in Syria used by Hezbollah.

Over 300 people have been killed in Lebanon since the war began, including 240 Hezbollah members, Al Jazeera reported. The Israeli military says about 20 people have been killed in attacks from Lebanon. The cross-border exchanges have led to evacuations on both sides: About 80,000 Israelis were evacuated from the north in the first weeks of the war, and about 90,000 people have fled southern Lebanon.

U.S. intelligence report says Netanyahu's government may be in jeopardy

An annual threat assessment by the U.S. intelligence community said Netanyahu and his far-right coalition may be "in jeopardy" after the war in Gaza.

"Distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections," the report said. "A different, more moderate government is a possibility."

The assessment put together by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence comes amid increasing friction between the Biden administration and Netanyahu on Israel's offensive and visions of a postwar Gaza. Netanyahu also faces cracks in Israel's leadership and dwindling popularity at home.

Earlier this month, Benny Gantz, a centrist political rival on Israel's War Cabinet, met with U.S. officials in Washington without Netanyahu's authorization, leading the prime minister to rebuke him, according to the Associated Press. In polls released last month by Israeli news channels 12 and 13, Gantz's party led Netanyahu's Likud in Knesset seats if an election were to take place, Haaretz reported. Another recent poll found that a plurality of Israelis believe Netanyahu is intentionally delaying a hostage deal for political reasons.

The intelligence report also said Israel will probably face "lingering armed resistance from Hamas for years to come, and the military will struggle to neutralize the group's underground infrastructure." Netanyahu, however, maintains that victory will come just weeks after an invasion of Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. His government's stated goal in the war is the complete destruction of Hamas.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel war live updates: Aid ship heads to Gaza amid famine fears