Israel's military expanded operations in Gaza this week, with residents reporting heavy gunfire and shelling—just days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned Washington visit. The escalation comes despite U.S. President Donald Trump's push for a 60-day ceasefire to end the war and secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Trump's Deal on the Table
Trump claimed on social media that Israel agreed to a temporary truce, urging Hamas to accept the proposal mediated by Qatar and Egypt. "I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal," he wrote. However, Israeli forces continued strikes, killing at least 26 people on Tuesday alone, according to Gaza's civil defense agency.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
🚨 The Red Cross warned that Gaza's hospitals are overwhelmed, with nearly all public facilities shut down. Aid distribution sites have become deadly zones: 16 people were killed near food centers in central and southern Gaza this week. The Israeli military stated it fired "warning shots" to disperse crowds but denied targeting aid sites.
‘Starve or Risk Being Shot’
Over 1,500 families fled northern Gaza after recent evacuation orders, per UN reports. Many returned due to lack of shelter elsewhere. NGOs condemned Israel's blockade, accusing it of replacing 400 UN-led aid points with just four militarized zones. "Palestinians face an impossible choice," said a ReliefWeb appeal, noting 500+ deaths and 4,000 injuries since October among those seeking food.
What’s Next?
With Netanyahu set to meet Trump next week, global attention turns to whether ceasefire talks gain traction. Meanwhile, Gaza's humanitarian collapse accelerates, leaving millions trapped in what aid groups call a "deliberately dismantled" system. 🌍💔
