Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with President Trump within the Oval Workplace of the White Home, Feb. 4, in Washington, D.C.
Evan Vucci/AP
cover caption
toggle caption
Evan Vucci/AP
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington for a second assembly since President Trump took workplace and as Israel’s conflict in Gaza marks a 12 months and a half. Netanyahu says he expects to debate efforts to launch Israeli hostages from Gaza, in addition to new U.S. tariffs.
The Trump administration imposed 17% tariffs on Israel as a part of new commerce measures on items from many nations.
Netanyahu is dealing with stress at house from former Israeli safety chiefs, protesters and the households of hostages nonetheless held in Gaza to return to ceasefire negotiations, which his far-right coalition has resisted.
Throughout Netanyahu’s final go to in February, Trump recommended america ought to take over the Gaza Strip, transfer Palestinians out and make it right into a “riviera of the Center East.”
Monday’s assembly with Trump comes on the 18-month mark since Israel’s conflict in Gaza started, following the lethal Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel. Israel has ramped up its army offensive since ending two months of ceasefire. It has additionally enforced 5 weeks of a blockade on support and items into the Gaza Strip.
Human rights teams and the United Nations have criticized the blockade saying it violates worldwide regulation.
Israel’s authorities says it’s looking for to extend stress on Hamas to launch all hostages and ultimately eradicate the militant group.
Hamas’ 2023 assault killed almost 1,200 folks in Israel and took 251 hostage, in keeping with Israeli officers.
Israel’s army response has killed greater than 50,750 Palestinians in Gaza, in keeping with Gaza’s Well being Ministry. On Monday, the territory’s well being authorities stated greater than 50 folks had been killed up to now 24 hours.
In a single incident in a single day, an Israeli airstrike focused a tent the place journalists had been sheltering within the southern Gaza metropolis of Khan Younis, killing two folks and injuring 9 others, in keeping with well being officers in Gaza.
Journalist Alem-al Din al-Sadeq stated a gaggle had gathered in a single day to eat collectively earlier than the strike hit.
“I noticed my colleague sitting on a chair engulfed in flames,” he stated. “We had no water to place out the flames.”
The Israeli army says it was concentrating on a member of Hamas who took half within the assault on Israel, however didn’t title the 2 individuals who had been killed.
A teenage U.S. citizen is killed
In the meantime, violence has additionally continued within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution. A Palestinian U.S. citizen was killed by Israeli forces this weekend within the village of Turmus Ayya, in keeping with Palestinian well being officers there.
The Israeli army stated it opened hearth towards three individuals who had been endangering drivers by hurling rocks at a freeway within the village. It stated forces killed one in all them and injured two others.
West Financial institution well being officers stated that 14-year-old Palestinian American Amer Rabie was killed in that operation, and one other U.S. citizen was injured.
The U.S. State Division has not commented.
Rabie can be the fifth recognized U.S. citizen killed by Israeli forces within the West Financial institution.
It is a growing story and could also be up to date.
Anas Baba contributed reporting from Gaza.
