Hamas won’t let hundreds of Americans trapped in Gaza leave: Pentagon

WASHINGTON – The Hamas terror group is blocking hundreds of Americans who are stuck inside the Gaza Strip from leaving the territory, a senior defense official said Monday.

The situation is a grim twist on the pro-Palestinian talking point that Israel runs Gaza as an “open-air prison” — despite not controlling the area since 2005.

With Israel readying its forces to ramp up its ground invasion following Hamas’ slaughter of more than 1,400 people — including at least 33 Americans — on Oct. 7, US officials are working overtime to secure the release of Americans who wish to leave before hostilities intensify.