Main events on May 12th
- A UN-backed hunger monitor warned that the entire Palestinian population in Gaza is at critical risk of famine, while 500,000 people face starvation.
- Hamas released Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander from Gaza after a deal was reached directly with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
- Israel is sending a delegation to Qatar on Tuesday to discuss the release of additional captives held in Gaza.
- UN agencies and human rights groups have renewed their calls for Israel to end its Gaza blockade, stressing that Palestinians are already dying from a lack of food and other critical supplies.
- Trump will undertake a three-day tour of the Gulf starting on Tuesday for his first state visit since retaking office in January.
‘Immensely frustrating and tragic’ as Gaza aid stuck at border
Kate Phillips-Barrasso from the aid group Mercy Corps says it’s “absolutely heartbreaking” that Israel continues to block humanitarian relief into Gaza as Palestinians suffer from hunger.
“Supplies are literally miles away from people who are starving. So it is immensely frustrating and tragic. This is a crisis that’s happening in broad daylight,” she told Al Jazeera.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that the United Nations secretary-general continues to plead with Israeli officials to allow food and other aid into the Gaza Strip.
“For all our meetings with Israeli officials, we continue to push for the reopening of the gates into Gaza. They have the keys to the lock. Those gates need to be unlocked,” he said.
