As US President Donald Trump continued his tour through the Middle East, Israel escalated its mass killings in Gaza, bombing two hospitals and killing at least 80 people in a single day.

One in five people in the Gaza Strip are facing starvation as the entire territory edges closer to famine, a new United Nations-backed report warns, after nearly three months of Israel’s blockade of critically needed humanitarian aid.

Gaza rescuers said at least 29 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff over the release of hostages.Negotiations for the release of the remaining hostages have been ongoing,

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu defiantly ramps up the war in Gaza, despite mounting pressure from Trump and castigation by France's president.

The Israeli military refused to comment on the strikes, but had warned residents of Jabaliya to evacuate late Tuesday night due to Hamas infrastructure in the area, including rocket launchers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there is “no way” Israel will halt its war in Gaza, even if a deal is reached to release more hostages.

A US-backed humanitarian organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), says it will begin aid operations in Gaza by the end of May. GHF urges Israel to immediately allow aid flow under existing procedures until its secure distribution sites are operational.

Since Israel’s blockade began on March 2, food sources have been drying up. Aid groups have stopped food distribution. Bakeries have closed. Charity kitchens handing out bowls of pasta or lentils remain the last lifeline for most of the population, but they are rapidly closing for lack of supplies, the U.N. says.

Half a million people in the Gaza Strip face starvation, a global hunger monitor said on Monday, saying the Israeli-blockaded enclave still confronts a critical risk of famine with a high risk of one occurring by the end of September.

Hamas says Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage in Gaza, will be released as part of efforts to establish a ceasefire, reopen crossings into the territory and resume the delivery of aid. The Hamas statement Sunday night does not say when the release will happen.

The Israeli government has agreed to resume humanitarian aid delivery to Palestinians in Gaza, the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said in a statement on Wednesday. Why it matters: Israel has frozen all supplies of food,