Escalation in Gaza Amid Hopes for Ceasefire Fade Following Trump’s Regional Visit

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Escalation in Gaza Amid Hopes for Ceasefire Fade Following Trump’s Regional Visit

 

Israel intensified its military campaign across the Gaza Strip on Friday, launching dozens of airstrikes that, according to local health officials, killed at least 108 people. The escalation followed a deadly week in Gaza, where more than 130 people had already been reported killed. The figures come from Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian casualties and those of combatants.

 

The latest wave of attacks coincided with the conclusion of U.S. President Donald Trump’s diplomatic tour of the Middle East. Although he visited three Gulf nations, Trump did not stop in Israel during his trip, sparking speculation about the potential for renewed diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire or easing the blockade on humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

 

Speaking to journalists in Abu Dhabi at the end of his tour, Trump acknowledged the humanitarian crisis in the region. “We’re looking at Gaza,” he said. “And we’ve got to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving. A lot of people are — there’s a lot of bad things going on.”

 

In the southern part of Gaza, Israeli forces targeted areas on the edges of Deir al-Balah and the city of Khan Younis. According to Israeli officials, the airstrikes were aimed at anti-tank missile sites and other military infrastructure. One Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attacks were part of preparations for a broader military offensive. The official warned that unless Hamas releases the 58 hostages still held in Gaza since the group’s October 2023 surprise assault, a large-scale operation would commence.

 

Earlier in the week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had pledged to ramp up military pressure on Hamas. In a statement released by his office on Tuesday, Netanyahu declared that Israeli forces were just days away from entering Gaza “with great strength to complete the mission.”

 

Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Friday that recent strikes were also aimed at Mohammed Sinwar, whom Israel believes to be the current leader of Hamas’ military wing in Gaza. There has been no confirmation on whether the strikes were successful in eliminating Sinwar. He is the brother of Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader in Gaza and one of the key architects of the October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the current war.

 

Of the remaining hostages believed to be in Gaza, Israeli intelligence estimates that up to 23 may still be alive. However, concerns have been raised over the health and whereabouts of at least three of them.

 

Amid the deepening crisis, a new U.S.-backed humanitarian organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, announced plans to begin delivering aid before the end of the month. The group’s statement said it had secured key agreements from Israeli authorities and named several U.S. military veterans, ex-humanitarian officials, and private security contractors as part of its leadership team.

 

However, the initiative has drawn criticism from the broader humanitarian sector. The United Nations and several aid organizations have signaled they will not take part, citing that the Foundation's framework does not meet established humanitarian principles and is unlikely to fulfill the urgent needs of the civilian population in Gaza.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from AP News  2025-05-17

 

 

[bannork]

Two of northern Gaza’s last functioning hospitals have been encircled by Israeli troops, preventing anyone from leaving or entering the facilities, hospital staff and aid groups said this week, as Israel pursued its renewed offensive into the devastated Palestinian territory.

The Indonesian hospital and al-Awda hospital are among the region's only surviving medical centers.

Both hospitals as well as another and three primary health care centers are within the evacuation zone, though Israel has not ordered the evacuation of the facilities themselves. 

Two of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza are encircled by Israeli forces, staff say

[Yellowtail]

12 minutes ago, bannork said:

Two of northern Gaza’s last functioning hospitals have been encircled by Israeli troops, preventing anyone from leaving or entering the facilities, hospital staff and aid groups said this week, as Israel pursued its renewed offensive into the devastated Palestinian territory.

The Indonesian hospital and al-Awda hospital are among the region's only surviving medical centers.

Both hospitals as well as another and three primary health care centers are within the evacuation zone, though Israel has not ordered the evacuation of the facilities themselves. 

Two of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza are encircled by Israeli forces, staff say

Do you support the eradication of Israel? 

 

You know Hamas is hiding in the hospitals, yes? 

[Bkk Brian]

23 minutes ago, bannork said:

Two of northern Gaza’s last functioning hospitals have been encircled by Israeli troops, preventing anyone from leaving or entering the facilities, hospital staff and aid groups said this week, as Israel pursued its renewed offensive into the devastated Palestinian territory.

The Indonesian hospital and al-Awda hospital are among the region's only surviving medical centers.

Both hospitals as well as another and three primary health care centers are within the evacuation zone, though Israel has not ordered the evacuation of the facilities themselves. 

Two of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza are encircled by Israeli forces, staff say

Hamas run.............

 

In 2018, Kamal Adwan Military Hospital Director, Dr. Sakher Hamad posted photos of Hamas’ Qassam Brigades with the caption:

“May God protect you and grant you victory"

 

[bannork]

A British doctor working in Gaza has described it as a "slaughterhouse" as Israel intensifies its attacks on the enclave.

Surgeon Tom Potokar compared the situation in Khan Younis to Stalingrad due to the "massive extent of destruction."

"Because of the blockade, there's so little stuff getting in. There's no food getting in, so people are starving. There's very little medical supplies coming in," he added.

British surgeon in Gaza compares Palestine to ‘slaughterhouse’ as Israel intensifies its attacks

[still kicking]

4 minutes ago, bannork said:

A British doctor working in Gaza has described it as a "slaughterhouse" as Israel intensifies its attacks on the enclave.

Surgeon Tom Potokar compared the situation in Khan Younis to Stalingrad due to the "massive extent of destruction."

"Because of the blockade, there's so little stuff getting in. There's no food getting in, so people are starving. There's very little medical supplies coming in," he added.

British surgeon in Gaza compares Palestine to ‘slaughterhouse’ as Israel intensifies its attacks

Yes, and 14.000 kids will die in the next 48 hours if the food supply doesn't arrive, but it is all OK with MAGA supporters, wake up, he is not called Crime Minister for no reason.

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Yes, and 14.000 kids will die in the next 48 hours if the food supply doesn't arrive, but it is all OK with MAGA supporters, wake up, he is not called Crime Minister for no reason.

   

   Do keep up. that has already been debunked as untrue, fake new .

 

 

Debunked: UN official’s claim 14,000 Gazan babies could die in 48 hours was untrue

 

"After a top UN official told the BBC yesterday that some 14,000 babies in Gaza could die in the next 48 hours if aid does not reach them in time, the British broadcaster clarifies that this claim was false and based on an incorrect interpretation of a report issued by the UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC"

 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/debunked-un-officials-claim-14000-gazan-babies-could-die-in-48-hours-was-untrue/

 

[still kicking]

Just now, Nick Carter icp said:

   

   Do keep up. that has already been debunked as untrue, fake new .

 

 

Debunked: UN official’s claim 14,000 Gazan babies could die in 48 hours was untrue

 

"After a top UN official told the BBC yesterday that some 14,000 babies in Gaza could die in the next 48 hours if aid does not reach them in time, the British broadcaster clarifies that this claim was false and based on an incorrect interpretation of a report issued by the UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC"

 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/debunked-un-officials-claim-14000-gazan-babies-could-die-in-48-hours-was-untrue/

 

You'd better go and count them and report back to me.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, still kicking said:

You'd better go and count them and report back to me.

 

   Count what ?

It was fake news that 14 000 babies would die within 48 hours 

[still kicking]

Just now, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Count what ?

It was fake news that 14 000 babies would die within 48 hours 

Fake news on FOX?

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Fake news on FOX?

 

   The original report stated that 14 000 children could die with a year unless more food was allowed into Gaza .

   Someone changed that to what you posted . 

It was fake news .

Have you been offline for a while ?

[still kicking]

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   The original report stated that 14 000 children could die with a year unless more food was allowed into Gaza .

   Someone changed that to what you posted . 

It was fake news .

Have you been offline for a while ?

I watch and read the news every day 

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, still kicking said:

I watch and read the news every day 

 

   How comes you posted a news story that has already been debunked and shown to the false , fake  news ?

[still kicking]

What Israel is doing now in Gaza is close to a war crime: Former PM of Israel Ehud Olmer

crime in gaza - Search

[still kicking]

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   How comes you posted a news story that has already been debunked and shown to the false , fake  news ?

HAhahaha, how come the orange buffon can post fake news every day?

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, still kicking said:

HAhahaha, how come the orange buffon can post fake news every day?

 

  He doesn't post it here on ASEANNOW , it wouldn't be allowed