GAZA CITY: At least 100 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Friday, according to rescue teams, as Hamas called on the United States to pressure Israel into lifting the total blockade that has cut off vital humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave.
The renewed bombardment comes after Israel reimposed a full blockade on Gaza in early March, following the collapse of a two-month ceasefire in its ongoing war with Hamas. The blockade has triggered dire shortages of essential supplies, including food, water, fuel, and medical aid, with humanitarian groups warning of an impending catastrophe.
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged the humanitarian crisis, stating during a visit to Abu Dhabi, “A lot of people are starving in Gaza. We’re looking at Gaza, and we’re going to get that taken care of.” Notably, Trump’s regional tour did not include a stop in Israel.
Israel has defended its aid cutoff as a tactic to pressure Hamas into concessions, particularly the release of hostages taken during the group’s October 7, 2023 attack, which ignited the current conflict. Hamas still holds dozens of hostages.
Earlier this week, Hamas released Edan Alexander — the final U.S. citizen believed to be alive among the hostages — following direct negotiations with the Trump administration, a move that reportedly excluded Israeli involvement.
Following the release, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said the group expects the U.S. to follow through on its part of the understanding by pressuring Israel to reopen border crossings and allow immediate humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Nunu’s statement came shortly after Hamas rejected Trump’s suggestion of turning Gaza into a “freedom zone,” responding that the territory is “not for sale.”
