At least 57 Palestinians have starved to death in Gaza as Israel’s punishing blockade of food, water, and other critical aid to the besieged enclave stretches into its third month amid relentless bombardment.
Gaza’s Government Media Office said on Saturday that most of the victims were children, as well as the sick and elderly, condemning the “continued use of food by the Israeli occupation as a weapon of war” and urging the international community to exert pressure on Israel to reopen the borders and allow in aid.
But why would they do so? Those hostages are the only bargaining chip they have left.
Hamas has offered to stick with the previous peace deal that would see the release of the remaining hostages, but Israel has decided that peace is not an option here.