103 killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, Arab mediators active regarding ceasefire
Gaza: At least 103 people were killed in Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, the Palestinian civilian agency said, while the United States and Arab mediators pushed for a ceasefire deal and US President Donald Trump visited Gulf countries. Palestinian health officials say Israeli attacks have increased since Trump began a visit to the Gulf countries of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, which many Palestinians had hoped he would use to press for a ceasefire.
Hamas says it is ready to release all its remaining hostages in Gaza in exchange for an end to the war, while the Israeli PM prefers an interim ceasefire, saying the war can only end after the elimination of Hamas. Trump stopped at a US installation at the heart of US involvement in the region to talk to American troops as he wrapped up his visit to Qatar.
He urged Qatari officials to use their influence to push Iran to come to a deal with his administration to halt its nuclear program. Trump said there had been progress in the talks but warned that “violent action” could be taken if no agreement was reached. “They cannot have nuclear weapons. That’s the only thing about it. It’s as simple as that,” he said. Regarding Gaza, Trump said at a business roundtable in Qatar that the United States would reiterate its desire to annex the Gaza Strip and argued there was nothing left to save in the Palestinian territory.
