CAIRO, May 14 (Reuters) – Israeli military attacks killed at least 50 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, local health officials said in a striking escalation of artillery fires as President Donald Trump continued his visit to the Middle East.
Medick said the majority of the deaths, including women and children, stem from barrages of Israeli airstrikes targeting several homes in the Jabaria region of northern Gaza.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment and said it was attempting to verify the report.
The Israeli report said Wednesday that security guards believe Hamas military leader Mohammad Singhwar and other senior officials were killed in Tuesday’s strike.
There were no confirmations from the Israeli forces or Hamas. On Wednesday, witnesses and medical science said Israeli airstrikes hit bulldozers, approaching a strike area at a European hospital, causing several people to injure.
Later Tuesday, Islamic jihad, a militant group supporting Iran in Gaza that allied with Hamas, launched a rocket at Israel. Shortly before the Israeli strike began accordingly, the military issued evacuation orders to residents of Jabaria and nearby Beit Rahiya areas.
Israeli escalation is contrary to the Palestinians’ hopes that Trump’s visit might put pressure on the weakening of violence. Hamas released Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage, on Monday, ahead of Trump’s trip.
Speaking in Riyadh on Tuesday, Trump added that Gaza people deserve a better future as more hostages chase after Alexander.
Hamas and Israel have been responsible for efforts to agree to a ceasefire in recent weeks. Hamas spoke with mediators in America, Egypt and Qatar to arrange for the release of Alexander, and Israel sent the team to Doha to begin a new talk.
On Tuesday, Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Adam Beller met hostage families in Tel Aviv and said there is a likely release agreement following their contract with Alexander.
The US has also proposed plans to use private contractors to resume humanitarian delivery in Gaza. Israel, which has imposed a total supply of supplies that enters Gaza from March 2, has approved the plan. However, it was rejected by the United Nations and international aid agencies, and important details, including funding and donors, remain unknown.
Israel launched its invasion of Gaza in retaliation for Hamas-led attacks on communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, and 251 were taken to Gaza hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
According to local health officials, the Israeli campaign killed more than 52,900 Palestinians and destroyed small coastal enclaves. According to aid organizations and international organizations, a population of around 2.3 million is on the brink of hunger.
(Reporting and writing by Nidal Al-Mughrabi, edited by Aidan Lewis)
