Gaza awaits aid as 2 American hostages are released by Hamas

The Rafah border crossing remains closed, as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to spiral out of control.

The Palestinian health ministry says seven hospitals and 21 health care centres are now out of service, as Israeli air strikes turn more of the strip into rubble.

Meanwhile, two of the U.S. hostages taken by Hamas have been released from Gaza. A mother and daughter were let go today on humanitarian grounds, due to the mother’s poor health.

Israel says Hamas took about 200 hostages during the attack two weeks ago, and today Israel says the majority are alive, and twenty of them are under the age of 18.

This major development coming as war protests continue around the world. For more on the global response to the crisis, we’re joined by Joel Beinin – the Donald J. McLachlan professor of history and professor of middle east history, emeritus at Stanford University.