Trump urges Gaza ceasefire

On May 25th, U.S. President Donald Trump called for a swift end to the war in Gaza, highlighting a growing divide between Washington and Israel over the scope and trajectory of Israel’s military campaign in the enclave, according to Arab World News.

“We want to see if we can stop that. And Israel, we’ve been talking to them, and we want to see if we can stop that whole situation as quickly as possible,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One en route to Washington.

According to the UAE-owned Sky News Arabia, Trump is expected to announce a ceasefire agreement in the coming days. The proposed deal would reportedly include the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Israel has intensified its military operations in Gaza since early May, asserting its aim to dismantle Hamas’ military and governing structures and to secure the return of hostages.

On 26th May, an Israeli airstrike hit a school sheltering displaced civilians in Gaza City’s Daraj neighbourhood, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more, local officials told Reuters. Medics on the ground reported that many of the casualties were women and children.

The Israeli military said its forces had struck a Hamas command centre overnight, claiming the facility was used for planning and coordinating attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF troops.

Despite growing international calls for de-escalation and increased humanitarian access, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed last week that Israel intends to maintain full control over Gaza. According to Gaza’s media office, Israel currently holds control over approximately 77% of the territory, either through direct military presence or through evacuation orders and sustained bombardments.

Arab World News/ Sky News Arabia/ Reuters/ Maghrebi.org