Israel intensifies Gaza bombardment as Trump visits Gulf

Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 70 Palestinians throughout the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, according to local health officials, marking an escalation in the attacks as U.S. President Donald Trump travels in the Middle East.

Medics reported that the majority of casualties, which included women and children, were killed in a wave of Israeli airstrikes that struck homes in the Jabalia region of northern Gaza. The military of Israel did not provide an immediate response.

It mentioned that it was attempting to confirm the reports. On Wednesday, Israeli media reported that security sources indicated they suspected Hamas military leader Mohammad Sinwar and other high-ranking officials were killed in a strike on Tuesday targeting what the Israeli military referred to as a command and control bunker located beneath the European Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

Neither the Israeli military nor Hamas provided any confirmation. On Wednesday, medics and witnesses reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted a bulldozer moving towards the strike zone near the European Hospital, injuring multiple individuals.

On Tuesday evening, Islamic Jihad, a militant organization supported by Iran and associated with Hamas, launched rockets from Gaza into Israel. Just prior to the Israeli retaliatory strikes, the military of Israel issued evacuation directives to residents in Jabalia and the surrounding Beit Lahiya area.

Palestinians anticipate that Trump’s trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates will create pressure for less violence. On Monday, Hamas freed Edan Alexander, the final known living American hostage in its custody. On Tuesday in Riyadh, Trump stated that additional hostages would come after Alexander and emphasized that the people of Gaza deserved an improved future. He will not be visiting Israel on his trip to the Middle East.

Efforts for a ceasefire have failed, as Hamas and Israel exchange accusations. Hamas communicated with the United States along with Egyptian and Qatari mediators to facilitate Alexander’s release, while Israel dispatched a team to Doha to initiate a fresh round of discussions. On Tuesday, Trump’s special representatives Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler met with hostage families in Tel Aviv and mentioned they now perceive a greater possibility of a deal for the release of the hostages after the arrangement concerning Alexander.

The U.S. has also proposed a strategy to resume humanitarian aid shipments in Gaza through private contractors. Israel, which has implemented a complete blockade of goods entering Gaza since March 2, has approved the plan. It has been declined by the United Nations and global aid organizations, and specifics, such as funding and contributors, are still ambiguous.

Israel launched an invasion of Gaza in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern Israeli towns on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals being taken hostage to Gaza, as reported by Israeli figures.

Local health officials report that Israel’s military operation has resulted in the deaths of over 52,900 Palestinians. According to aid organizations and international agencies, it has pushed the small coastal enclave to the edge of starvation.