Israel keeps up Gaza blockade; Trump issues ‘last warning’ to Hamas

By Staff Reporter
US President Donald Trump issues what he calls “a last warning” to Hamas to release all Israeli captives held in Gaza, and tells its leaders to leave the Strip.
The threat comes as the White House confirms direct talks with Hamas for the first time since 1997 to secure the release of US-Israeli captives and end the war in Gaza.
Palestinians in Gaza are going hungry as Israel’s blockade causes high prices and food shortages, with the World Food Programme (WFP) warning its stocks could run out in less than two weeks.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has confirmed 48,440 Palestinian deaths in Israel’s war on Gaza while 111,845 people have been wounded. The Government Media Office updated its death toll to at least 61,709, saying thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and more than 200 were taken captive.