US President Donald Trump stated that “a lot of people are starving” in the besieged Gaza, where rescuers reported more than 74 fatalities due to Israeli airstrikes.
His brief remarks on Gaza came as he concluded the first foreign tour of his second term, which included visits to several Gulf nations but notably excluded key ally Israel.
A two-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas disintegrated in March, shortly after Israel reinstated a total blockade on Gaza, which aid agencies claim has led to severe food shortages.
Rescuers in Gaza reported that Israeli strikes and shelling today resulted in the deaths of 74 individuals in the war-torn Palestinian territory, updating a previous figure.
When approached by AFP, the Israeli army declined to comment on the strikes.
Palestinians fleeing Gaza City today are seen carrying their belongings.
The latest fatalities come as Palestinian rescuers indicate that more than 100 individuals were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza yesterday. On Wednesday, rescuers reported at least 80 fatalities across the region.
“We’re looking at Gaza. And we’re going to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving,” Mr. Trump told reporters in Abu Dhabi.
Israel ceased aid to Gaza on March 2, a strategy it claims is designed to compel concessions from Hamas, which continues to hold numerous Israeli hostages taken in October 2023.
Hamas asserted yesterday that the restoration of humanitarian aid to the war-torn area is “the minimum requirement” for negotiations.
A view of destroyed buildings in Gaza City as survivors live in makeshift tents.
Hamas also warned that Gaza is not “for sale,” just hours after Mr. Trump suggested converting the territory into “a freedom zone.”
“I have concepts for Gaza that I believe are very good… Let the United States get involved and make it a freedom zone,” Mr. Trump remarked during the Qatar leg of his Gulf tour, expressing pride in the U.S. taking over and creating a freedom zone.
These comments echoed an idea he proposed in February, where the U.S. would “take over” the devastated area and redevelop it into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim responded by stating, “Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian land – it is not real estate for sale on the open market.”
Hamas initiated the war in October 2023 with an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in 1,218 fatalities on the Israeli side, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official statistics.
Of the 251 hostages taken during that attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 reported deceased by the military.
The Gaza health ministry announced that 2,876 individuals have been killed since Israel resumed airstrikes on March 18, raising the war’s overall toll to 53,010.
Israeli media indicated that the military intensified its operations in Gaza following government approval of a plan to reclaim the territory earlier this month.
The army stated it is investigating the reports.
People queueing for food in Gaza this week. Aid to the region has been suspended since March 2.
Israel’s primary organization representing families of hostages still in Gaza criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for missing a “historic opportunity” to secure the release of their loved ones.
“The families of the hostages woke this morning with heavy hearts and deep concern over reports of increased assaults in Gaza and the impending conclusion of President Trump’s visit to the region,” said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in a statement.
They warned, “Missing this historic opportunity would be a significant failure that will be remembered infamously forever.”
Conversely, another hostages’ family support group called for increased military pressure.
“The military pressure must be significantly stronger, with high intensity, and coordinated with diplomatic efforts, including a complete siege that cuts off water and electricity,” stated the Tikva Forum group.
The United Nations estimates that 70% of Gaza is currently classified as either an Israeli-declared no-go zone or under evacuation order.
‘Fundamental human right’
For weeks, UN agencies have warned that supplies of essential items, including food, clean water, fuel, and medicines, have reached critical lows.
The World Health Organization reported that the last hospital in Gaza providing cancer and cardiac care became non-operational after an Israeli attack on Tuesday rendered it “severely damaged and inaccessible”.
UN special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, accused Israel of “killing what’s left of humanity”.
Israel claims that its cessation of aid and military actions aim to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages.
However, Mr. Naim stated that humanitarian access into Gaza is “the minimum requirement for a conducive and constructive negotiation environment”.
“Access to food, water, and medicine is a fundamental human right – not a subject for negotiation,” he added.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-supported NGO, announced that it would begin distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza this month following discussions with Israeli officials.
However, the United Nations dismissed involvement with this initiative yesterday.
