Israel Strikes Gaza as Trump Defends Retaliation

Israeli forces launched strikes across the Gaza Strip that killed 100 people after accusing Hamas of ceasefire violations, including sniper attacks on soldiers near Rafah and Gaza City and the failure to return dead hostages. The Israeli military expanded operations to include areas around Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City following the death of an additional soldier. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Hamas would pay a heavy price and stated there would be no immunity for the group's leadership.

Donald Trump defended the Israeli military's response, stating that Israel should hit back when its soldiers are killed. While Trump and Vice President JD Vance maintained that the broader ceasefire is holding despite these skirmishes, the violence has strained regional diplomacy. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described the situation as disappointing and urged Hamas to disarm.

Simultaneously, the Israel Defense Forces are establishing fortifications that divide the Gaza Strip roughly in half, with Israel controlling about 53 percent of the territory. This physical division follows a split-rebuilding plan designed by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff under a Trump-brokered truce. Arab mediators have expressed strong opposition to the plan, arguing it establishes permanent Israeli control and stating they are unlikely to commit international security troops under such terms.