Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the situation in Palestine as a "tragic events" and "a humanitarian catastrophe", criticising the Israeli ban on aid deliveries, calling it "especially worrying."

During his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow, Putin said Moscow follows the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which claimed the lives of more than 51,000 people, "with concern and empathy."

"Tensions are also rising on the West Bank of the Jordan River. Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe in the truest sense of the word. Russia, as a friend of the Palestinian people, strives to provide regular assistance. Over the past year, more than 800 tons of goods, including food, medicine, and essential supplies, have been delivered to those in need," he said.

Hamas's armed wing has released a video showing two Israeli hostages alive in Gaza, with one of the two men calling to end the 19-month-long war.

Israeli media identified the pair in the undated video as Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Haim Ohana.

One of them said to be Ohana, 24, speaks in Hebrew in the video, urging the Israeli government to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all remaining captives –– a similar message to statements made by other hostages, in previous videos released by Hamas.

Germany's new top diplomat Johann Wadephul has called for "serious discussions for a ceasefire" in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation "is now unbearable".

Ahead of a visit to Israel, Wadephul said it was "imperative to start" talks "to free all hostages and to ensure that supplies reach the population of Gaza", according to comments reported by his ministry.

While reaffirming Germany's unwavering support for Israel, the official said he would "inquire about the strategic objective of the fighting that has intensified since March".

In Israel, Wadephul is expected to meet his counterpart Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Nine Israeli soldiers were injured during military offensives in northern Gaza, Israeli media has reported.

According to the daily Israel Hayom, the soldiers were wounded in combat in the Shejaiya neighbourhood.

Israeli Army Radio said the soldiers were injured by an explosive device detonated during a sweep attack.

Among the wounded are the commander of Battalion 6310 and the deputy commander of the 252nd Division, the report added.

The new German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, departed for Israel for a Middle East trip in which "critical discussions" are expected, he has said when leaving Berlin.

"In both of our democracies, critical discussions about the policies of one's own government and friendly nations are part of this," Wadephul said.

"I will ask about the strategic objective of the fighting, which has intensified again since March," Wadephul said.

According to a Foreign Office spokesperson, Wadephul will meet Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Seven Palestinians including a family of five were killed in a series of Israeli air and artillery attacks across Gaza.

According to a medical source who spoke to Anadolu Agency, an Israeli air strike targeted a tent belonging to the Talib family in the Sabra neighbourhood, south of Gaza City, killing all five members of the family, including three children.

In a separate incident, another Palestinian man was killed in an Israeli strike on the Al-Tuffah neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, a medical source confirmed.

Simultaneously, witnesses reported ongoing Israeli air and artillery bombardment on eastern Shejaiya, where residential buildings are being systematically demolished.

The Gaza government warned that more than 65,000 children are at immediate risk from famine because of Israel's siege and two-month blockade of essential supplies to Gaza as part of its genocidal campaign on the Palestinian enclave.

"The Israeli occupation is engineering a famine that kills civilians and continues a systematic crime against 2.4 million people through closing crossings and blocking 39,000 aid trucks carrying food, fuel and medicine, in a flagrant violation of international law," the Gaza Media Office said in a statement.

It said all bakeries have been non-operational for 40 days, depriving civilians of bread.

"Over 65,000 children now face starvation deaths from malnutrition as Israel weaponizes hunger against civilians," it added.

The Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, hailed a decision by Norway's powerful trade union to boycott and divest from companies that have ties to Israel, which continues a genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza.

Hamas commended the decision by "the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) to boycott the Zionist occupation and prohibit trade ties and investment with its companies."

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Givr once again publicly demanded a complete stop to humanitarian aid to Gaza, further entrenching Israel's policy of starvation and genocide against Palestinian civilians in the besieged enclave.

"I call on Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) and my fellow ministers to reverse the disastrous decision to renew aid to Gaza during the next Cabinet meeting; a decision I voted against in the previous session," Ben-Gvir said on X.