US President Donald Trump expressed hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing war in Gaza during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. When asked about his campaign pledge to end the conflict, Trump said, “I’d like to see the war stop” and added that he believes it would come to an end in the near future.
The meeting was the first in person since Netanyahu returned to Washington amid growing international pressure regarding the mounting death toll in Gaza. The Israeli military campaign has resulted in the deaths of more than 50,700 Palestinians, many of whom are women and children.
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During the discussion, Trump reiterated the US’s ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, describing the process as a lengthy one. Netanyahu, for his part, spoke about Israel’s continued efforts to eliminate Hamas and secure the freedom of all hostages, referencing a ceasefire deal from January that had led to some hostages’ partial release.
Trump also revived a controversial proposal from his early presidency, suggesting that a US-led peacekeeping force controlling the Gaza Strip would be beneficial. This idea, widely criticized by the international community, was again met with condemnation as Trump suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza to other countries.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continue, with recent strikes killing at least two people, including Palestinian journalist Yousef al-Faqawi, and injuring several others. The airstrikes also targeted media tents near hospitals, adding to the growing devastation in the region.
A report from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics highlighted the staggering toll on Gaza’s children, with more than 39,000 children orphaned due to the ongoing violence. The report also noted that nearly 18,000 children had been killed since October 2023, with thousands more facing severe malnutrition and extreme cold in displacement camps.
