US President Donald Trump said on May 6 that the United States “will help the people of Gaza get some food,” as Israel’s near-total blockade of aid to the besieged Palestinian enclave approaches its third month.

“We’re gonna help the people of Gaza get some food. People are starving, and we’re gonna help them get some food,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, Caliber.Az reports, citing American media.

He added, “A lot of people are making it very, very bad. If you look, Hamas is making it impossible because they’re taking everything that’s brought in, but we’re gonna help the people of Gaza because they’re being treated very badly by Hamas.”

US and Israeli officials are discussing a new aid delivery mechanism designed to bypass Hamas, according to an Israeli source familiar with the talks and a US State Department official. The official said an announcement could be made “in the coming days.” The mechanism would include safeguards to prevent diversion by Hamas or Islamic Jihad, a State Department spokesperson said.

The need for aid has become increasingly urgent. According to the United Nations, cases of acute malnutrition among children in Gaza surged by 82% in March compared to February, with nearly 3,700 children diagnosed—a key indicator of looming famine.

Since Israel resumed its military campaign on March 18, following the end of a months-long ceasefire, airstrikes and ground operations have intensified. Israeli forces have expanded a buffer zone and encircled Rafah in southern Gaza, now controlling about half of the territory.

The blockade has sealed Gaza’s borders to imports of food, medicine, and other essentials. As the 60-day mark approaches, aid organisations warn of a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis.

Israel defends the blockade and military campaign as necessary to pressure Hamas to release hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and resulted in the abduction of 251. Though many have since been freed, 59 remain in captivity, with only 24 believed to be alive.

Hamas has proposed releasing the remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the release of Palestinian prisoners—terms rooted in a now-defunct January ceasefire deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected those terms and pledged to continue operations until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are returned.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, women and children make up the majority of the Palestinian death toll, though the ministry has not specified how many were militants or civilians.

By Tamilla Hasanova

Source: caliber.az