Washington, D.C. – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has landed in the United States for a high-profile meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, even as Israeli military operations continue to escalate in Gaza. The visit comes amid rising international concern over the mounting death toll and humanitarian crisis unfolding in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
According to Al Jazeera’s live updates, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 43 Palestinians on Monday alone, with ongoing orders for mass evacuations in central Gaza, particularly in the Deir el-Balah region. Thousands of displaced families are reportedly fleeing south, many for the second or third time since the conflict began.
Symbolic Meeting Amid Crisis
Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump is expected to focus on Israeli security, regional diplomacy, and U.S.-Israel relations, especially in light of Trump’s potential return to the White House in the 2024 election cycle. Critics argue the timing of the visit sends a troubling message, as it coincides with one of the deadliest phases of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 2023.
Humanitarian Concerns Grow
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly, with hospitals overwhelmed, food and water in short supply, and large portions of the population cut off from aid. The latest strikes targeted areas in Deir el-Balah, an already crowded region where many Palestinians sought refuge from previous assaults.
The United Nations and various human rights organizations have repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that continued military operations without adequate humanitarian corridors could amount to war crimes.
Political Implications
Netanyahu’s decision to meet with Trump rather than current U.S. President Joe Biden underscores ongoing tensions between the Israeli government and the Biden administration over the handling of the Gaza crisis. Trump, a staunch ally of Netanyahu during his presidency, has remained vocal in his support for Israel’s right to “defend itself,” while Biden has urged restraint and the protection of civilians.
Political analysts suggest this meeting could be an attempt by Netanyahu to secure support from potential future U.S. leadership, especially as international scrutiny intensifies.
