Casualties mount in Gaza as air raids hit aid zones; Trump says 10 Israeli hostages to be freed soon
At least 41 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to hospital sources, amid escalating violence and ongoing humanitarian concerns in the region.
Among the fatalities were 12 individuals reportedly struck while waiting in line for food aid, medical staff confirmed. Over 100 others were injured as Israeli attacks targeted multiple neighborhoods and aid distribution points throughout the densely populated enclave.
Emergency responders cautioned that the death toll could rise further, with several of the injured in critical condition.
Trump: More Hostage Releases Imminent
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday night that 10 additional Israeli hostages are expected to be released “very shortly.” Speaking during a dinner with lawmakers at the White House, Trump credited his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, for ongoing negotiations.
“We’ve already gotten most of the hostages back. We’ll have another 10 coming soon, and we hope to wrap this up quickly,” he said, offering no specific timeline or details. Trump has previously suggested that a ceasefire and hostage release deal is imminent, though no formal agreements have been confirmed.
Gaza: Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Since October 2023, Israel has waged a wide-scale military campaign in Gaza that has killed over 58,667 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children. The extended offensive has devastated civilian infrastructure, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, food supplies severely disrupted, and the healthcare system on the verge of collapse.
The worsening conditions have also contributed to the rapid spread of disease and deepening humanitarian distress among Gaza’s population.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also faces a separate genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
As the violence and diplomatic tensions continue, pressure mounts on global actors to broker a sustainable ceasefire and address the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza.
