Trump didn’t include Israel in negotiations for the release of US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, whom Israel had failed to liberate though he had been held by Hamas in Gaza for more than 580 days; on top of that, for the first time the US dealt with Hamas directly. (A new step, since the US designates the group as a terrorist organisation.)
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held his first press conference in five months to deny any rift with Washington. But he signalled that he was prepared to lift the blockade on the entry of food, fuel and medicine into Gaza, “to ensure our good friends support us”. Netanyahu also added two new war aims: a long-term Israeli military occupation of the Gaza Strip and the relocation of the population “in accordance with the Trump plan”. Months ago, Trump proposed the US would move out Gaza’s civilians and redevelop the strip into a “Riviera of the Middle East”. Little has been heard of that since, but it has emboldened extremists on Israel’s right, including Netanyahu’s ultranationalist finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich whose goal is to return Jewish settlers to Gaza.
Smotrich held his own press conference two days before Netanyahu. Explaining his new support for allowing food into Gaza, Smotrich said the quiet part out loud. “Humanitarian aid is only being allowed in so the world does not stop us and accuse us of war crimes.” He said the food delivered would be the bare minimum.
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Smotrich said the “most important thing” was that the food aid would not stop Israel’s military operation in Gaza. “We are conquering, clearing and staying until Hamas is destroyed. We are dismantling Gaza, leaving it in ruins with unprecedented destruction, and the world hasn’t stopped us.”
Trucks carrying food aid are entering Gaza, though there is confusion about the numbers. It was reported that 93 trucks had entered in one day last week. Israeli sources say the number was 388 for the whole week. But aid agencies say that so far, few more than 100 trucks have reached their destinations, and hundreds more are needed daily.
When I was reporting from Jerusalem in 2024, food aid was intermittent, but even when aid trucks were entering Gaza, it was difficult to ensure the food reached Gaza’s civilians. There were instances when Hamas, and the Iran-affiliated militant group Islamic Jihad, stole stores of donated food and medicines, and were seen on video doing so. They then reportedly sold what they did not use themselves to the starving population.
Israeli officials say Hamas could end the war tomorrow by releasing the hostages and giving up its rule in Gaza. While international pressure is being ramped up on Israel, for the first time, Hamas is experiencing pressure – from the street. For weeks, Gazan civilians have been protesting against the Islamist group. Hamas has responded brutally, including beating, torturing and killing some protest leaders. Still, the demonstrations continue. People who have lost so much now don’t want to be controlled by Israel – or Hamas.
Irris Makler is an award-winning Australian journalist. She is a former Middle East correspondent who spent six years reporting from Jerusalem.
