The humanitarian situation inside Gaza is causing increased alarm with fears now of starvation and famine. The crisis has deteriorated in recent weeks after Israel imposed a blockade on food and fuel to Gaza.

And dozens of Palestinians have been killed in a series of Israeli strikes across Gaza on Wednesday. Palestinian officials say women and children are among the victims.

The situation could be about to get even worse. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has warned that Israel is set to ramp up its military offensive as it continues to pressure Hamas.

To discuss:

• Dan Arbell is a veteran of the Israeli Foreign Service and currently Scholar-in-Residence at the Center for Israeli Studies at American University. 
• Said Arikat is Washington Correspondent for Al-Quds Daily Newspaper.
• Edmund Ghareeb is a Middle East scholar and analyst.
• Michael Maloof is a former senior Pentagon strategic analyst.