Tensions in the Middle East escalated further as Israeli airstrikes in Gaza claimed more civilian lives, just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly called on Israel to “immediately stop bombing.” The strikes, which targeted what Israel described as militant infrastructure, reportedly left dozens dead and many more injured, including women and children.
The renewed violence underscores the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where medical facilities are overwhelmed, electricity supplies are intermittent, and thousands of residents remain displaced. Local authorities described the latest bombardments as some of the deadliest in recent weeks, fueling anger and despair among the civilian population.
Trump’s intervention has drawn global attention, as he remains a polarizing yet influential figure in U.S. and international politics. His call for Israel to halt airstrikes marks a sharp contrast with Washington’s traditional stance of unequivocal support for Israeli security operations. “The time has come to stop the bombing—innocent lives must be spared. Peace cannot be achieved with endless violence,” Trump said in his remarks, which circulated widely on social media.
Israeli officials, however, defended their actions, insisting the strikes were directed against Hamas targets and were necessary to dismantle militant capabilities. “We are operating to neutralize threats to our citizens. Civilian casualties are tragic, but Hamas bears responsibility for operating from within civilian areas,” an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said.
The timing of the airstrikes, coming so soon after Trump’s appeal, has sparked debate over whether Israel is signaling defiance of outside pressure or simply pursuing its military objectives irrespective of international opinion. Analysts suggest that while Trump’s words may resonate with war-weary global audiences, they are unlikely to alter Israel’s security calculus in the short term.
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have renewed their pleas for an immediate ceasefire, citing the worsening toll on Gaza’s population. The United Nations warned that continued bombardments risk pushing the enclave into “irreversible catastrophe,” with shortages of food, medicine, and clean water threatening millions.
Reactions across the world remain divided. While some leaders and civil society groups echoed Trump’s call for restraint, others accused him of political opportunism. In Israel, his remarks received a mixed response, with some appreciating the humanitarian appeal while others dismissing it as interference in sovereign security decisions.
As the death toll mounts, the gap between military realities on the ground and calls for peace from international figures continues to widen. Whether Trump’s statement will exert lasting influence remains uncertain, but for families in Gaza grappling with loss and destruction, the violence shows little sign of abating.
