What’s happened in Gaza since Israel abandoned truce deal?

Death toll at Jabalia school rises to 17

The death toll of the Israeli attack on the Bint Asad school in northern Jabalia has risen from 16 to 17. We also now know that the victims, who include women and children, were killed in two consecutive Israeli air strikes that targeted the school at dawn.

Palestinian ambulance crews transported bodies and injured people to the Indonesian Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip and al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

_{Palestinians inspect the damage at a school sheltering displaced people, following an Israeli strike, in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza, May 12}

Starvation, air raids continuing in Gaza, UNRWA says

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a crisis “beyond imagination”.

“Air strikes, blockades, and starvation continue, with tens of thousands killed and injured,” the agency said in a post on X".

"Displaced families face collapsing infrastructure, sewage overflows, and empty markets. The siege must be lifted to ensure vital humanitarian and commercial supplies reach Gaza,” it added.

The humanitarian crisis in #Gaza is beyond imagination.

Air strikes, blockades, and starvation continue, with tens of thousands killed and injured. Displaced families face collapsing infrastructure, sewage overflows, and empty markets.

The siege must be lifted to ensure vital… pic.twitter.com/lQEEbZW86R

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 11, 2025

Gaza’s hospitals urgently need surgical tools, beds, cleaning supplies: Ministry

G️aza’s Health Ministry has released a statement, detailing the dire conditions in hospital operating rooms and emergency departments, where staff are working around the clock with dilapidated equipment and insufficient supplies.

The ministry reported a desperate need for more X-ray and anesthesia machines, surgical tools, medical beds and cleaning supplies to prevent infections.

It also warned that hospitals have completely run out of bed sheets, specialised surgical fabrics and medical gases used for surgery, sterilisation and pain management.

“The severe shortage of medical equipment and general supplies exacerbates the complex crisis facing hospitals and hinders the work of medical teams,” the ministry added.

Israeli forces raid towns and villages across West Bank

Israeli soldiers have arrested several Palestinians in raids across the occupied West Bank overnight, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reports.

In Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers arrested a 16-year-old and two men in their 50s after raiding and searching their homes.

Two young men were also arrested from the town of Qaffin in Tulkarem after raiding their homes.

Earlier in the night, Israeli forces stormed the town of Kafr al-Labad in Tulkarem. A source told Wafa that Israeli soldiers assaulted a disabled man as he was heading to the mosque.

Israeli forces wreck homes, assault detained man in Jenin: Report

Israeli forces have fired live ammunition, demolished homes and flown surveillance drones over Jenin in the occupied West Bank, as their raid on the city continues for a 113th straight day, according to the Wafa news agency.

During the latest operation, soldiers filmed themselves assaulting a young man as he lay handcuffed on the ground near the city’s government hospital, Wafa reported.

Since the incursion began in January, Israeli forces have demolished about 600 homes, displacing more than 22,000 people in the city, Wafa reported, citing estimates from the municipality.

Gaza war cannot be solved by military means, says top German diplomat

Germany’s new Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who is visiting Israel, has called for “serious negotiations” on a ceasefire in Gaza, according to the German Foreign Office.

In a series of posts on X attributed to Wadephul, the office said the top diplomat met his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, on Sunday and said the conflict in Gaza cannot be resolved through military means.

He also called for a “political solution” for Gaza’s reconstruction without Hamas.

“The Arab Reconstruction Plan which foresees a strong role for the Palestinian Authority is a good starting point,” Wadephul said.

“Gaza is part of the Palestinian Territories. I agreed with my Israeli counterpart, that the Palestinians in Gaza indeed have their future, that they will not be forced to leave by anyone and that the presence of the Israeli army in Gaza can only be temporary,” he added.

Israel and Germany share a unique friendship. I am deeply grateful that 80 years after the commitment of the crime against humanity which was the Holocaust, we have been able to follow the path of reconciliation between our countries and our people. - FM Wadephul @AussenMinDE 1/6 pic.twitter.com/deWjiQyQuy

— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) May 11, 2025

Tens of thousands march in Brussels to protest Israel’s war on Gaza


<sub>The Belga news agency reported that up to 80,000 people joined a protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza in Brussels, Belgium on Sunday




Staff from the European Union which has its headquarters in Brussels also joined the protest</sub>

‘Genocide song contest’ – Protesters in Basel rally against Israel’s Eurovision participation


<sub>People wave Palestinian flags as Israeli singer Yuval Raphael arrives at the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland on Sunday


Police remove a protester holding a Palestinian flag blocking a tram carrying Israel’s Eurovision candidate</sub>

Alexander to be released today, says Hamas

Abu Obaidah, spokesman of the Qassam Brigades, says the armed wing of Hamas has decided to release US-Israeli captive today.

Israel commits ‘only to a safe corridor’ to allow for Alexander’s release

Netanyahu’s office, in a post on X, says that “Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind” or the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Alexander’s freedom.

But Israel is committing “only to a safe corridor that will allow for the release of Edan”, it said.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office also claimed that Alexander’s release is being made possible due to Israel’s “vigorous policy” in Gaza as well as its “military pressure”.

“We are in the midst of critical days in which Hamas has been presented with a deal that would enable the release of our hostages. The negotiations will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting,” it added.

‘Netanyahu choosing to murder my child’: Captive Matan Zangauker’s mother

Einav Zangauker, the mother of 25-year-old Israeli captive Matan Zangauker, has slammed Netanyahu for failing to secure her son’s release even as fellow US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander is set to go free.

“My Matan, a sick civilian who was kidnapped from his bed, is being held together with Edan Alexander,” wrote Einav Zangauker in a post on X. “Both of them are in the same dark tunnel without any other hostages.”

“If Matan is left alone in the tunnel, Netanyahu is choosing to murder my child – instead of freeing all the hostages,” she continued.

Addressing her son directly, she added, “I will pursue the Prime Minister for the suffering he is causing you, for the abuse he is inflicting on us – the families. He will be held accountable.”

In December, Hamas released a proof-of-life video of Matan, in which he described dire conditions in Gaza’s tunnels – surrounded by spiders and rats, suffering from skin ailments and clinging to hope for reunion with his family. He appealed to the Israeli public not to forget him.

Alexander’s family says ‘no hostage should be left behind'

In a message relayed by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the family urged Israel to secure the release of all remaining captives “without delay”. “No hostage must be left behind,” the family said.

Earlier, Israeli media reported that Witkoff had called Alexander’s family to inform them of his release.

Alexander’s father, Ali, told the YNet news site that the family was “completely surprised to receive the call from Witkoff” and that “we knew about the negotiations but not about such a dramatic development”.

Captives’ families tell Netanyahu: ‘Time to be a leader and bring all captives home’

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the main group representing relatives of Israeli captives in Gaza, is urging their government to seize the next 24 hours and pursue a broader deal to free all remaining captives.

This comes as Hamas prepares to release US-Israeli captive, Edan Alexander, following direct negotiations with Washington.

“The expected release of Edan shows that a determined leader is committed to his citizens,” the forum wrote, in an apparent reference to Trump.

Addressing Netanyahu, the group said: “Prime Minister, what about your commitment to the 58 remaining hostages? Will you choose to make history, bring everyone home, and allow Israeli society to heal? Or will you continue with delays and evasion of responsibility, at the cost of the collapse of the Israeli ethos, severe harm to the hostages, and the prevention of the ability to bring back the fallen?”

“Prime Minister, this is the time to be a leader,” the statement added. “Make the historic, right decision, and end the nightmare that Israeli citizens have been living for 584 days.”

Hamas to hand over Alexander to Red Cross

We understand that the release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander will take place today. He will be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross and taken to Israel, where he will be reunited with his family members.

This move is seen as a part of ongoing efforts to restart dialogue.

Hamas will not get anything in return for this exchange. It is a goodwill gesture to the American administration to facilitate ceasefire negotiations and the entry of humanitarian aid supplies.

Israeli aircraft to stop flying over Gaza during captive’s release

The Israeli military and hospitals in the country are making preparations similar to the release of captives previously, in anticipation of Alexander’s release, according to Israel’s Channel 12 broadcaster.

This includes Israel stopping “flying its aircraft over Gaza to gather information or for any other purpose”, Channel 12 reported. It said that Israeli forces operating in Gaza were notified of a ceasefire set to begin at 09:00 GMT.

Earlier, Netanyahu’s office said Israel has not committed to a ceasefire in any way for Alexander’s release, but will allow a “safe corridor” for the move.


Slight uptick in Israeli attacks on Gaza City, Rafah

Despite Israel’s declaration it will pause military activities in Gaza to secure the release of Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander, there has been a slight surge in Israeli attacks over the past hour.

This is particularly the case for Gaza City’s Shujayea neighbourhood, where a military attack hit a group of people, killing at least one and wounding several others. They have been transported to the al-Ahli Hospital for initial medical treatment.

Elsewhere, in southern Gaza’s Rafah, a number of families tried to return to their neighbourhoods to check on their houses. They also came under Israeli fire.

Until now, there has not been full Israeli de-escalation.

‘Disgrace, humiliation’: Israeli opposition leaders lambast Netanyahu

Opposition politicians in Israel are criticising Netanyahu’s failure to secure the release of the remaining captives in Gaza after the US held direct talks with Hamas to obtain Alexander’s freedom.

Yair Lapid, the leader of the Yesh Atid party, said the US-Israel captives’ release is “welcome and exciting”, but that it must lead to a broad deal to bring all the remaining captives home.

“The reports of direct contacts between Hamas and the US are a disgraceful diplomatic failure by the Israeli government and its leader. The kidnapped are ours, and the responsibility for their return lies with the government,” he wrote on X.

Benny Gantz of the Israeli Resilience Party also called on Netanyahu “to fulfil his responsibility” and said his stomach “turns to see how the Israeli government lacks any initiative and responsibility”.

Yair Golan, the leader of the Israeli Democratic Party, meanwhile, told Maariv that the “fact that Edan Alexander is released only because he holds American citizenship is a disgrace and humiliation”.

He also expressed shock that Alexander, who is an Israeli soldier, needed the US president to secure his release.

‘Shameful’ that captives need dual nationality to be freed: Israeli captive’s father

The father of Israeli captive Eitan Mor has voiced frustration over what he sees as preferential treatment for dual nationals, as Israeli-American Edan Alexander is set for release.

“It’s shameful for me as a Zionist and a patriot that I need foreign citizenship to get priority,” Tzvika Mor told Israel’s Maariv news site. “I don’t have expectations from Trump, I have expectations from my own government.”

While congratulating the Alexander family, Mor urged Israeli officials to secure the return of all captives.

“I cannot accept the idea of a partial deal,” he said. “You can’t play games with our fighters – this story must be ended as soon as possible.”

‘Massive blow to Netanyahu’: Trump leaves out Israel in captive deal praise

The US president thanking Qatar and Egypt for their role in the planned release of Edan Alexander – but making no mention of Israel – is a “massive blow to Netanyahu”, according to Ori Goldberg, an Israeli commentator on political affairs.

“Trump is basically saying to Netanyahu, ‘I’ve done this, this is my duty, now you’re on your own,’” Goldberg told Al Jazeera. “Israel is much fairer game than they were two days ago for every international inquiry and agency seeking to enforce international law.”

While the families of the captives “don’t have much sway” over the Israeli PM, Goldberg said the political pressure Trump is applying is significant.

“The detachment of Israeli interests from American interests is an earthquake. Trump is basically signalling the rest of the world that Israel is cut off from the herd, and that Israel stands alone and is responsible for its actions.”

Israel-US ties reached ‘unprecedented low’: Israeli politician Liberman

Israel is being sidelined when it comes to the US policy in the Middle East, according to the chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu party, Avigdor Liberman, who was quoted by the Times of Israel newspaper.

Israel has “reached an unprecedented low” in its relations with the US, he was quoted as saying in the context of the pending release of US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander by Hamas without Israel’s involvement.

The newspaper said Liberman made the remarks to reporters before his party’s weekly faction meeting in the Knesset.

The US ceasefire with Yemen’s Houthi rebels with Israel “left out of the agreement” and the direct US-Iranian talks were mentioned by Liberman as other examples challenges in the US-Israeli ties, the newspaper said.

There are other challenges as well “but we cannot elaborate about that”, he added cryptically, according to the report.

“The main problem is that Netanyahu does not want to end the war, he does not want to and is unable to eliminate Hamas. One who did not eliminate Hamas in a year and seven months will not do so in 17 years,” Liberman was quoted as saying.

Israelis march towards US consulate, calling for release of all captives: Reports

A group of Israeli protesters have started marching towards the US consulate in Tel Aviv, according to Israeli media reports.

Footage shared by Israel Hayom shows dozens of protesters – many carrying photos of Israelis still in captivity in Gaza – taking part in the protest.

Israel’s government has faced criticism – including from relatives of captives – for failing to secure the release of all captives, as Israeli-American Edan Alexander is set to go free, with some questioning whether dual nationals are being given priority.

Entire Gaza at critical risk of famine, 500,000 facing starvation: Monitor

A global hunger monitor says Gaza’s entire population continues to face a critical risk of famine, while half a million people face starvation.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification described the findings as a serious deterioration since its last assessment in October.

The latest report analysed a period from April 1 to May 10 this year and gave projections of the situation until the end of September, according to a summary of its key findings.

Dozens of Palestinians have starved to death under Israel’s blockade of Gaza

The release of the latest report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warning of famine in Gaza comes a little over a week after authorities in the besieged and bombarded territory said at least 57 people had starved to death as Israel’s punishing blockade of food, water and other critical aid continues.

In a statement on May 3, Gaza’s Government Media Office had said most of the victims were children. The sick and elderly were among those to have also died, it added.

It condemned the “continued use of food by the Israeli occupation as a weapon of war” and urged the international community to exert pressure on Israel to lift its total blockade, which has been in place since March 2.

Al Jazeera identified one of the victims, a baby girl called Janan Saleh al-Sakafi, who died of malnutrition and dehydration in the Rantisi Hospital, west of Gaza City. More than 9,000 children have been admitted to hospital for treatment for acute malnutrition since the start of the year, according to the United Nations.

Read more here.

Key findings of IPC report

As we’ve been reporting, Gaza’s entire population is at imminent risk of famine, according to an IPC report. Here’s what it has found:

Nearly every Gaza child at risk of famine: Save the Children

The international charity Save the Children has warned that about 93 percent of the children in Gaza – about 930,000 minors – are at critical risk of famine after the release of the IPC data.

“Without urgent action to end the siege and to allow food and medicine into Gaza, one million children are at risk of starvation, disease and ultimately death,” it said, adding that the Israeli war and blockade on the entry of aid have pushed families to take “unimaginable measures to survive”.

In a statement, Save the Children said its staff members have received reports of families in northern Gaza resorting to eating animal feed, expired flour and flour mixed with sand out of desperation to survive.

“We know what hunger feels like – we’ve tasted death,” the statement quoted a 25-year-old mother of four in northern Gaza as saying. “Our children are just waiting their turn to die.”

Save the Children Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe Ahmad Alhendawi described the situation as a “deliberate humanitarian catastrophe” and a “crisis of access”.

“Children are being starved by design, under Israeli authorities’ total siege. We have the food, we have the aid and we know how to treat malnutrition in children – what we don’t have is access,” Alhendawi said.

“At any given moment in Gaza, a child, someone’s whole world, could be killed by bombs and bullets, starvation and disease. The international community must act now to open the crossings and deliver life-saving aid. We cannot stand by while an entire population is starved in plain sight.”

_{Palestinians, mostly children, wait in long lines to get food distributed by charities at the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on April 28}


‘Man-made’ spread of starvation in Gaza ‘unconscionable’

As warnings of imminent famine grow after the release of the IPC’s analysis, Jolien Veldwijk, country director for CARE International in Palestine, condemned the “man-made” nature of the crisis, calling it “unconscionable”.

“For more than a year and a half, we have witnessed the spread of starvation across Gaza, which has accelerated since the Israeli government’s block on aid, a siege that has been going on for over two months now,” Veldwijk said.

She described the psychological toll of the crisis as “haunting” as mothers arrive at clinics with their babies weighing as little as 2kg (4.4lb) and families watching their loved ones grow thinner each day.

“Meanwhile, supplies that could be used to treat them sit just a few kilometres away at the border, blocked,” she added.

Veldwijk urged the international community to “exhaust every effort” to secure an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the return of the captives, warning that only a full-scale flow of humanitarian aid could halt further starvation and death.

‘Preventable famine unfolding in real time’

We’re hearing more reaction to the latest IPC report, which warns Gaza is at critical risk of famine if Israel doesn’t end its total blockade.

In a statement, Mahmoud Alsaqqa, Oxfam’s food security and livelihoods coordinator, condemned what he called “the use of starvation as a weapon of war”.

“Gaza’s starvation is not incidental – it is deliberate, entirely engineered – and has now created the largest population facing starvation anywhere in the world,” said Alsaqqa. A preventable famine is unfolding in real time. It is unconscionable and is being allowed to happen.”

Alsaqqa said Israel’s ongoing siege – in place since March 2 – is blocking essential food, water and medicine from entering Gaza , while “thousands of trucks filled with life-saving supplies … are waiting at the border, metres away.”

He described the scenes in Gaza as “defy[ing] belief,” with families wasting away, malnourished children too weak to cry, and camps where only five out of 500 families had flour left to make bread. “We distributed our last food parcels weeks ago,” he said.

Oxfam also condemned Israel’s plan to militarise the aid distribution, calling it “an egregious violation of international humanitarian law” that “turns aid into a tool of control”, further endangering both civilians and humanitarian workers.

“Silence in the face of this man-made starvation is complicity,” Alsaqqa said.