On Friday, US President Donald Trump remarked that “many people are starving” in the embattled Gaza Strip, where rescuers reported over 50 fatalities due to Israeli airstrikes since midnight. His comments followed the conclusion of his first foreign tour during his second term, which notably included visits to several Gulf nations but not Israel.
Humanitarian agencies have highlighted severe food shortages in Gaza after a two-month ceasefire ended, largely due to an Israeli blockade. The civil defense agency in Gaza stated that 56 individuals had died due to the recent Israeli strikes, with many others left injured.
Trump stated, “We’re looking at Gaza, and we’re going to take care of it. A lot of people are starving,” while speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi. Since March 2, Israel has blocked assistance to Gaza as part of an effort to extract concessions from Hamas, which retains many Israeli hostages taken during the October 2023 conflict.
Following a recent military escalation, Hamas declared that the restoration of humanitarian assistance is a “minimum requirement” for any discussions. Meanwhile, Gaza issued a warning that it was “not for sale” after discussions of Trump’s plan to re-establish control over the region as a “free zone.”
The latest Israeli strikes have created panic among the residents of northern Gaza. Um Mohammed Al Tatari, 57, recounted, “We were asleep when it exploded around us. Everyone started running. There was blood everywhere.” Another resident, Ahmed Nasr, 33, reported a sleepless night filled with continuous bombing, expressing concerns about their safety.
Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel in October 2023 led to 1,218 Israeli deaths, according to official reports. Of the 251 hostages taken, 57 are still in Gaza. The health ministry in Gaza has reported a total of 2,876 fatalities resulting from Israeli strikes since March 18, bringing the total casualties of the ongoing conflict to 53,010.
Israeli media has revealed that military operations escalated following government approval to seize territory earlier this month. The army indicated they are investigating this situation. The families of hostages still held in Gaza expressed deep concern over the rising attacks and the conclusion of Trump’s visit, calling it a “historic opportunity” that must not be wasted.
While one support group urged for increased military pressure to coincide with diplomatic efforts, the United Nations has warned that a significant portion of Gaza, about 70%, is designated as no-go zones or under evacuation orders directed by Israel.
For weeks, UN agencies have sounded alarms over critical shortages of food, clean water, fuel, and medicines. The World Health Organization reported that Gaza’s last operational hospital ceased functioning after being severely damaged. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese accused Israel of “killing what remains of humanity,” while Israel asserted that the military pressure and halt on aid were meant to compel Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, stated that the entry of aid into Gaza is essential for fostering a conducive negotiation environment, emphasizing that access to basic needs is a fundamental human right. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-supported NGO, plans to begin distributing aid this month after talks with Israeli officials, although the UN has decided not to be involved in this initiative.
