Israeli Strikes Intensify in Gaza as Trump Wraps up Middle East Tour

What Happened?

At least 108 people have been killed across Gaza since early Friday in a set of large-scale Israeli attacks.

The attacks conducted by ground, air, and by sea killed mostly women and children, according to reports.

These actions followed days of strikes that reportedly killed more than 250 people across the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military reportedly said it was 'operating to locate and dismantle terrorist infrastructure sites.'

They claim the attacks were aimed at pressuring the Palestinian militant group Hamas to release all hostages.

At least nine homes and tents housing civilians had been bombed, marking the largest ground assault on northern Gaza since Israel resumed its offensive in March.

'We won’t stop operating until Hamas is no longer a threat and all our hostages are home,' the IDF said on Friday in a post on social media.

Why it Matters

Israel's actions come as President Donald Trump wrapped up his Middle East tour to visit the region.

U.S. officials had announced the release of the last known living American hostage in the Gaza Strip, ending an 18-month ordeal with Hamas.

Hamas' goodwill gesture was reportedly part of an effort with the U.S. for a ceasefire to resume the humanitarian aid flow into Gaza.

But President Trump's relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has somewhat become strained as a result.

Netanyahu set in motion intensive plans in Gaza for a military operation he described as a plan to 'conquer.'

Gaza's population would be moved 'for its own protection' as part of these efforts that Israel's Security Cabinet unanimously approved.

Israel also plans to continue its blockade of humanitarian  aid flow across the strip despite warnings of ethnic cleansing.

President Trump, who ended his tour with no apparent ceasefire progress, acknowledged Gaza's need for aid deliveries amid its growing hunger crisis.

'We have to help also out the Palestinians. You know, a lot of people are starving in Gaza, so we have to look at both sides,' he told reporters.

How it Affects You

When asked if he backed Israel's war plans, Trump replied, 'good things' are expected over the next month.

Trump has made progress with places like Riyadh, even if Saudi Arabia holds off on normalizing relations with Israel.

It's a major shift for the U.S. on its mission to expand its Middle Eastern relations.

It could also mark the possibility that these countries will help back peace efforts across Gaza and prevent the permanent displacement of 2.1 million residents.

As Trump aims to halt attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes, Israel's push to seize the besieged territory could face new challenges from neighboring regions.