1. Introduction / Background
The current situation in Gaza remains dire amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas since October 7, 2023.
Ceasefire and hostage deal talks between Israel and Hamas are stalled, according to an Israeli source in Haaretz. Israel is increasing operations in Gaza, and Hamas remains firm on a US proposal. The US has withdrawn from negotiations, and there is no active communication between Hamas and the US. Hamas released American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander through Bishara Bahbah, who contacted Witkoff.
Since Israel broke the ceasefire in mid-March, its attacks have killed 2,985 people and injured 8,173.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza has killed at least 53,119 people and wounded more than 120,214, according to the latest figures from Gaza’s health authorities
2. Key Highlights – Israel Hamas war updates
- Killed 109 (53,119)
- Injured 216 (120,214)
- Home Destroyed
3. Governments’ Response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the attack on Houthis on Friday, vowing to strike the Houthi group “much harder, including their leadership and all infrastructure that enable them to attack us.”
4. Military Developments
The Quds News Network is reporting that northern Gaza is coming under heavy bombardment overnight into Saturday, with air strikes focused on targets in Beit Lahia and Jabalia.
Earlier in the day, residents were told by the Israeli army to leave Jabalia ahead of a renewed and intensified attack.
Israeli soldiers are also blowing up residential buildings from the ground in addition to the air raids, the Quds News Network said.
The Israeli military dropped leaflets over Jabalia refugee camp, ordering residents to evacuate south as it intensifies airstrikes across Gaza, according to an Al-Jazeera reporter on the ground. In Khan Younis, at least 11 civilians, including three children, were killed in recent Israeli attacks. Gaza health officials say over 120 people remain missing in the north as rescue efforts continue. Local media reported that an Israeli drone targeted tents sheltering displaced people in Tel Al-Zaatar, north of Gaza, setting them on fire.
5. Militants’ Activity
Drop Site News reported that Hamas was assured by US President Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, that the Israeli blockade on Gaza would end 48 hours after the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander. Hamas released Alexander as a goodwill gesture, but did not receive any Palestinians in return. The blockade remains in place, and ceasefire talks have stalled. Basem Naim from Hamas claimed Witkoff had promised that the blockade would be lifted and negotiations would begin, which did not happen.
The Yemeni Houthi group on Friday reported more Israeli air strikes on two of its seaports in western Yemen. No casualties or material damage have been reported so far. The Israeli army, for its part, confirmed that the attack destroyed infrastructure at the Houthi-controlled Al-Hudaydah and Salif ports. In response to Friday's Israeli air strikes on two Yemeni ports, the media office for the Houthis issued a statement calling the attack "weak", and a signal that "America has abandoned" Israel.
6. Impact On the Trade and Travel
7. International Response
Tom Fletcher, the UN’s top humanitarian official, has issued a statement again rejecting a US-Israeli-backed plan to seize control of food distribution in Gaza as an alternative to Israel’s 76-day blockade.
The UN humanitarian office on Friday sharply criticized a proposed Israeli-backed aid delivery mechanism for Gaza, warning it would deepen suffering and set a dangerous global precedent by making humanitarian access conditional on political and military objectives.
The US president has spoken about Gaza in an interview with Fox News, after returning from his Middle East trip. Trump also said he had started working on the humanitarian situation after discussions during his recent travels.
NBC News reported that the Trump administration intends to permanently "relocate" up to one million Palestinians to Libya. In return, the US may release billions in frozen funds to Libya. Hamas representative Basem Naim stated he is unaware of such a plan.
A senior Arab League official confirmed on Friday that an international conference on a two-state solution for Palestine will be held in June under the joint chairmanship of Saudi Arabia and France.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has called for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza and for putting in place a ruling authority over the enclave which doesn’t include Hamas in order to restore calm.
French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed on Friday that he felt the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was unacceptable, and added he hoped to discuss the matter soon with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.
New York University (NYU) has withheld the diploma of student speaker Logan Rozos after he used his commencement address to denounce Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and the US’s complicity.
Rozos, graduating from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualised Study, told his fellow students on Wednesday: “The only thing that is appropriate to say in this time and to a group this large is a recognition of the atrocities currently happening in Palestine.”
A statement issued by the leaders of Spain, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, and Slovenia on Friday is demanding that Israel lift its total blockade of Gaza, which was imposed in early March. The group also said it condemned "the increasing Israeli escalation in the West Bank, with increasing settler violence".
8. Comment.
Gaza is experiencing ongoing intense conflict, severe humanitarian deprivation, and political stalemate, with international concern growing over the escalating crisis and civilian suffering.
9. latest news in two lines
- https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/gaza-toll-rises-more-100-killed-24-hours-total-deaths-surpass-53000-0?nid=421833&topic=Israel%2527s%2520war%2520on%2520Gaza&fid=544733
- https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-hamas-ceasefire-talks-deadlocked-israeli-source-says?nid=421833&topic=Israel%2527s%2520war%2520on%2520Gaza&fid=544733
- https://aje.io/s2gihy?update=3715776
- https://aje.io/s2gihy?update=3715641
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/16/israel-vows-to-kill-houthi-leader-after-striking-yemeni-ports
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