TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently in Washington for a crucial meeting with President Donald Trump. This marks their second meeting since Trump assumed office, coinciding with the 18-month anniversary of Israel's war in Gaza. During this visit, Netanyahu expects to discuss vital issues, including efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and address the new U.S. tariffs imposed on Israeli goods.
The Trump administration recently implemented a 17% tariff on Israeli goods as part of broader trade measures affecting multiple countries. This development has raised concerns among Israeli officials, particularly as Netanyahu grapples with mounting pressure from various factions within Israel. Former Israeli security chiefs, protesters, and families of hostages are urging the Prime Minister to engage in ceasefire negotiations, which his far-right coalition has been hesitant to pursue.
Netanyahu's visit comes at a critical juncture, as it marks 18 months since the onset of Israel's war in Gaza, which was triggered by a devastating attack led by Hamas on October 7, 2023. In response to the attack, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, Israel has intensified its military operations after a two-month ceasefire. Additionally, the Israeli government has enforced a stringent five-week blockade on aid and goods entering the Gaza Strip.
Human rights organizations and the United Nations have condemned the blockade, arguing that it violates international law. Despite these criticisms, Israeli officials maintain that their objective is to apply pressure on Hamas to secure the release of all hostages and ultimately eliminate the militant group. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israel's military response has resulted in over 50,750 Palestinian deaths in Gaza.
On Monday, health authorities in Gaza reported that more than 50 individuals were killed within a 24-hour period. In a particularly tragic incident, an Israeli airstrike targeted a tent where journalists were taking shelter in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. This strike resulted in two fatalities and nine injuries. Journalist Alem-al Din al-Sadeq recounted the horrifying moment, stating, “I saw my colleague sitting on a chair engulfed in flames; we had no water to put out the flames.”
The Israeli military stated that the airstrike aimed at a Hamas member involved in the October 7 attack, but did not disclose the identities of the deceased. Furthermore, Israel announced that it had targeted a central Gaza location from which rockets had been launched toward Israel.
Amidst the turmoil, violence has also erupted in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Over the weekend, a Palestinian American citizen was killed by Israeli forces in the village of Turmus Ayya, as reported by Palestinian health officials. The Israeli military claimed that its forces opened fire on three individuals who were allegedly endangering drivers by throwing rocks at a nearby highway. They confirmed that one person was killed, and two others were injured.
According to West Bank health officials, the deceased has been identified as 14-year-old Amer Rabie, a Palestinian American, while another U.S. citizen sustained injuries. The U.S. State Department has not yet issued a statement regarding this incident. Rabie's death adds to a troubling statistic, with the United Nations humanitarian office reporting that Israeli forces have killed nearly 100 Palestinians in the West Bank this year alone.
This situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Contributing reporting from Gaza by Anas Baba.
