As Trump Heads to the Middle East, Israel's Attack on Gaza Remains Indiscriminate

GAZA, THURSDAY - While United States President Donald Trump was visiting the Middle East, Israel continued its indiscriminate attacks. The civil and health authorities of Gaza reported on Thursday (15/5/2025) that more than 54 civilians had been killed as a result of Israeli airstrikes. The attacks targeted Khan Younis.

"The ongoing attacks indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to escalate aggression and massacre against civilians to undermine efforts for a ceasefire," said Hamas last Wednesday.

Israel declined to comment on the attack. So far, Israel has blamed Hamas for the ongoing war.

The attack occurred while Trump was visiting the Middle East, specifically Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, from May 13 to 16, 2025. Trump did not visit Israel.

There is hope that Trump's visit to the region could reduce violence, encourage a continuation of the ceasefire agreement, or extend humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Israeli blockade of Gaza has been ongoing for three months.

Hamas has also released the Israel-American hostage named Edan Alexander on Monday (12/5/2025). Alexander is the last known American hostage still alive. His release could serve as a basis for the continuation of the ceasefire that has been halted, along with the release of other hostages.

The attack also occurred ahead of the 77th anniversary of Nakba. Nakba, which means catastrophe in Arabic, is typically observed on May 15. Nakba refers to the mass expulsion of Palestinians during the Arab-Israeli war in 1948. Palestinians remain traumatized by this event.

Wednesday's attack followed another deadly Israeli attack the day before. On Tuesday (5/13/2025), the Times of Israel reported that the Israeli military attacked areas around two hospitals, namely the European Hospital and Nasser Hospital, targeting one of Hamas' figures, Muhammad Sinwar.

Sinwar is the brother of the current leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwa. He is believed to be the highest military leader of Hamas in Gaza. Israel has attempted to kill him several times over the past few decades.

On Tuesday night, Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas supported by Iran, fired rockets from Gaza into Israel. Just before Israel retaliated, its military issued an evacuation order to residents in the Jabaliya and Beit Lahiya areas, which were targeted in the latest attack.

Israeli media reported on Wednesday (14/5/2025) that security officials believe Sinwar and other senior Hamas officials have been killed. However, there has been no confirmation from the Israeli military or Hamas.

The Hamas-Israel war has been ongoing since October 7, 2023. A ceasefire occurred from January 19, 2025, lasting for several months. According to health officials in Gaza, Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of more than 52,900 Palestinian citizens. Gaza is also on the brink of famine.

In Sudan, North Africa, the civil war is also escalating. Since April 2023, the armed forces led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan have been fighting against the rapid support forces (RSF) led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The conflict has effectively divided the country into two. The army controls the northern, eastern, and central regions, while the RSF dominates almost all of Darfur and the southern part. As a result, Sudan is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

On Wednesday (14/5/2025), the war threatened the safety of residents. "The water truck supported by UNICEF in the Saudi hospital complex, El-Fasher, was destroyed by artillery fire, disrupting access to clean water for approximately 1,000 severely ill patients," said UNICEF.

UNICEF urges all parties to comply with international humanitarian law. All attacks on or near critical civilian infrastructure must cease, it added.

In April 2025, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) estimated that 70-80 percent of healthcare facilities in conflict-affected areas in Sudan are non-functional. The region in El-Fasher is a primary example.

The civil war in Sudan has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Approximately 13 million individuals have been displaced, including 5.6 million in Darfur. (AP/AFP/Reuters)