Gaza faces critical risk of famine

• Half a million people face starvation in Gaza: monitor
• Hamas will release US-Israeli hostage   
• Israel preparing to step up fighting while talks continue

A global hunger monitor said yesterday that Gaza's entire population continues to face a critical risk of famine, while half a million people face starvation.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification described the findings as major deterioration since its last assessment in October.

The latest report analysed a period from April 1 to May 10 this year and gave projections of the situation until the end of September, according to a summary of its key findings, reports Al Jazeera online.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian group Hamas said yesterday it will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza, although Israel's prime minister said there would be no ceasefire and plans for an intensified military campaign would continue.

Fighting will pause to allow for Alexander's safe passage, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, and three Palestinians in Gaza told Reuters early yesterday afternoon that there had been calm since midday, with no sound of drones or warplanes.

Israel was told on Sunday of Hamas' decision to free the last surviving US hostage in Gaza as a goodwill gesture to President Donald Trump.

The release, after four-way talks between Hamas, the United States, Egypt and Qatar, could open the way to freeing the remaining 59 hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

But Netanyahu said Israel had agreed only to allow safe passage for Alexander, and its forces would continue recently announced preparations to step up operations there.

"Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind," his office said, adding that military pressure had forced Hamas into the release. "The negotiations will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting."

Palestinians children push to receive a ration of hot food from a charity kitchen set up at the Islamic University campus in Gaza City yesterday. Photo: AFP

Israeli jets continued to pound Gaza before the expected release, killing at least 15 people sheltering in a school housing displaced families in Jabalia in the north of the enclave, local health authorities said.

The Israeli military said it was looking into the report.

On Sunday, Hamas said it had been talking to the US and had agreed to release Alexander. Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt called it an encouraging step towards a return to ceasefire talks.

Trump is due to visit Gulf states on a trip that does not include a stop in Israel but special envoy Steve Witkoff, who helped arrange the release, was expected in Israel yesterday, two Israeli officials said.

Alexander's family thanked Trump and Witkoff, saying in a statement that they hoped the decision would open the way for the release of the other remaining hostages.