Rescuers said Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 100 people on Friday, as Hamas demanded the United States press Israel to lift a sweeping aid blockade in return for a US-Israeli hostage released by the group.
US President Donald Trump, who ended a Middle East tour on Friday with no apparent progress towards a new ceasefire as Israel steps up its military campaign, acknowledged Gaza’s growing hunger crisis and the need for aid deliveries.
“We have to help also out the Palestinians. You know, a lot of people are starving in Gaza, so we have to look at both sides,” he said.
When asked if he backed Israel’s war plans, Trump said he expected “good things” over the next month.
Israel says its decision to cut off aid to Gaza was intended to force concessions from militant group Hamas, which still holds dozens of Israeli hostages seized during the October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war.
‘They were my sisters and daughters’
Friday’s air and artillery strikes were focused on the northern section of the tiny, crowded enclave, where dozens of people including women and children were killed overnight, said Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Khalil al-Deqran.
At the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia, AFPTV footage showed mourners crying over the bodies of their loved ones.
“They were innocent people,” said Mayar Salem. “Only their remains are left… They were my sisters and daughters.”
Israeli media reported that the military had stepped up its offensive in line with a plan approved by the government earlier this month, though there has not been any formal announcement of an expanded campaign.
The military said that its forces had “struck over 150 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip” in 24 hours.
The main Israeli campaign group representing the families of hostages said that by extending the fighting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was missing an “historic opportunity” to get their loved ones out through diplomacy.
A rival group, the Tikva Forum, called for more military pressure “coordinated with diplomatic pressure, a complete siege, cutting off water and electricity”.
‘Deliberate starvation’
For weeks, UN agencies have warned of severe shortages in Gaza.
The 46-member Council of Europe said on Friday the territory was suffering from “deliberate starvation”.
And seven European countries, including five that have recognised a Palestinian state — Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, Spain and Norway — issued a joint statement condemning what they called “the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place” and calling on Israel to halt military operations and lift the blockade.
The US’ aid plan for Gaza would only feed an estimated 60 per cent of the enclave’s population. Source: Anadolu, Getty / Moiz Salhi
In a statement of its own, Hamas said it “highly values the humanitarian and courageous stance” adopted by the seven countries.
after talks with Israeli officials.
But the United Nations on Thursday ruled out involvement with the initiative, citing concerns about “impartiality, neutrality (and) independence”.
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