Gaza Death Toll Soars! Netanyahu to Meet Trump Amid Rising Tensions
The devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, with the Palestinian death toll now exceeding 66,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. This grim milestone comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss ways to halt Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza City.
The meeting occurs amidst growing international pressure on Netanyahu to end the war. Key Western allies have increasingly recognized a Palestinian state, defying Israeli objections. The European Union is contemplating sanctions, and calls for a sports and cultural boycott against Israel are gaining momentum.
Adding to the turmoil, Israeli security forces reportedly shot dead an alleged attacker involved in a car-ramming incident near Nablus in the West Bank. Hamas has praised the attack, further fueling tensions in the region. Violence has surged in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, an area Palestinians envision as part of their future state, along with Gaza and east Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war.
At the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, a defiant Netanyahu declared that Israel "must finish the job" against Hamas in Gaza, even as dozens of delegates walked out of the hall. His military continues its offensive in Gaza City.
While President Trump has largely supported Israel, recent events, including the bombing of Qatar earlier this month, seem to have tested his patience. Trump is expected to present a new proposal for ending the war during Monday's White House meeting.
Key Points to Watch:
- The outcome of the Netanyahu-Trump meeting and any potential shifts in U.S. policy.
- The EU's decision regarding sanctions against Israel.
- The continued escalation of violence in the West Bank.
- International efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire.