Israel says siege will remain until hostages freed, as Gaza desperation grows

Palestinians evacuate the wounded after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip (Hatem Ali/AP)

The Israeli military pulverized the Gaza Strip with airstrikes, prepared for a possible ground invasion and said on Thursday its complete siege of the territory would remain in place until Hamas militants free some 150 hostages taken during a grisly weekend incursion.

A visit by US secretary of state Antony Blinken, along with shipments of US weapons, offered a powerful green light to Israel to drive ahead with its retaliation in Gaza after Hamas’ deadly attack on civilians and soldiers, even as international aid groups warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis.