Israel Launches Its Fiercest Attacks on Gaza as Trump Tours the Gulf

14th May 2025

3 minutes read

Israel Launches Its Fiercest Attacks on Gaza as Trump Tours the Gulf

Israel’s intensified airstrikes on Gaza during Trump’s Gulf visit may be a political message directed at Hamas, Gulf countries, and the United States.

Gaza health authorities reported that Israeli military strikes killed at least 50 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday in a major escalation of violence that coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Gulf region.

Paramedics said most of the casualties — including women and children — were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting several homes in the Jabalia area in northern Gaza. The Israeli army stated it could not comment at this time and was verifying the reports.

Israeli media on Wednesday cited security officials saying they believed Hamas leader Mohammed al-Sinwar and other top commanders were killed in Tuesday’s airstrike on what the Israeli army described as a command center beneath the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. No official confirmation has yet been issued by either the Israeli military or Hamas.

On Wednesday, witnesses and medics reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted a bulldozer near the site of the hospital attack, resulting in several injuries.

Israel may view Trump’s visit as a strategic opportunity to intensify military operations, taking advantage of the international community’s preoccupation with the trip. The escalation could serve as a political message to multiple parties, including Hamas, Palestinians, Gulf states, and the U.S.

Israel may also be seeking to alter the situation on the ground during the visit, aiming for strategic or political gains.

The purpose of the intensified strikes may be to influence any potential negotiations taking place during Trump’s Gulf visit or to pressure Hamas into making concessions.

Late Tuesday night, Islamic Jihad — an Iranian-backed ally of Hamas — launched rockets from Gaza toward Israel.

Shortly before Israeli retaliatory strikes began, the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings to residents in Jabalia and Beit Lahia.

This escalation comes as Palestinians hope Trump’s visit might help ease tensions. On Monday, ahead of the visit, Hamas released Idan Alexander, believed to be the last surviving American hostage held in Gaza.

In a speech delivered Tuesday in Riyadh, Trump said Alexander’s release would be followed by more hostage releases, adding that the people of Gaza deserve a better future.

Efforts to reach a ceasefire in recent weeks have faltered, with both Israel and Hamas blaming each other for the failure.

Hamas has been in talks with the U.S. and Egyptian and Qatari mediators to arrange Alexander’s release, while Israel dispatched a team to Doha to start a new round of negotiations.

U.S. envoy Adam Boehler and special Middle East representative Steve Witkoff met with families of the hostages in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. They stated that the chances of securing the release of remaining hostages had improved after Alexander’s case.

The United States also proposed a plan to resume humanitarian aid into Gaza through private contractors. While Israel supports the plan, the United Nations and international relief agencies have rejected it. Key details of the plan — including funding and donor sources — remain unclear. Since March 2, Israel has entirely blocked supply entry into Gaza.

Israel launched its military campaign on Gaza following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli towns on October 7, 2023, which, according to Israeli statistics, killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken into Gaza.

According to Palestinian health officials, Israel’s campaign has killed more than 52,900 Palestinians and devastated the small coastal strip of 2.3 million people. Aid groups and international agencies warn that Gaza’s population is on the brink of famine.