US President Donald Trump said “a lot of people are starving” in Gaza, as the hunger crisis in the enclave deepens, Al-Monitor via AFP reported on May 16th.
His remarks followed a regional tour of several Persian Gulf nations that did not include Israel. Trump stated that he would address the situation in Gaza, without providing further specifics.
Israel blocked all aid to Gaza on March 2nd. The Israeli government said it made the move to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, The Media Line reported on May 20th. Hamas had taken them during its October 2023 attack, which killed roughly 1,200 people on the Israeli side, the BBC reported on January 21st. Aid agencies have reported severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies since the blockade began.
Gaza’s rescuers reported 74 deaths from Israeli airstrikes on May 16th, The Guardian reported. On May 8th, Al-Monitor via AFP reported and Levantis cited that a new foundation will soon lead the Gaza aid plan. The US confirmed the group is non-governmental.
US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stressed the need for swift food delivery. She warned against aid diversion to Hamas. The move comes as the UN World Food Programme announced it has exhausted food stocks in Gaza amid Israel’s blockade.
Meanwhile, Gaza faces a severe famine threat, with 22% of the population nearing catastrophic conditions, as reported by Al-Monitor via AFP on May 12th.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) stated that between April 1st and May 10th, roughly 244,000 people suffered with level five food insecurity, defined as “catastrophe/famine.” A further 925,000 individuals were in level four, or “emergency,” reflecting the worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory.
Al-Monitor via AFP, The Guardian, The Media Line, BBC
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