Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the war in Gaza could reach a “positive and definitive conclusion” within the next two to three weeks. He made these remarks at the White House, adding, “It needs to end because with the hunger and all the other problems, people continue to be killed.” This is not the first time Trump has referenced this specific timeframe.
The comments come amid a brutal Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the only partially functioning medical facility in southern Gaza. The attack, which occurred during a renewed Israeli offensive in the Strip, has drawn widespread condemnation for striking a site known to shelter civilians, humanitarian workers, journalists, and first responders.
The strike killed at least 20 people, including five journalists who had been covering the conflict for international outlets such as Reuters, the Associated Press (AP), and Al Jazeera. This brings the death toll of reporters killed in less than two years of war in Gaza to 245, making it the deadliest conflict on record for members of the press.
The first drone strike hit the hospital complex in broad daylight, killing Reuters journalist Hossam al-Masri during a live broadcast, which was abruptly cut off. A second airstrike followed as rescuers attempted to evacuate the wounded and other journalists documented the aftermath of the initial bombing, causing panic among those on the ground. The victims also included freelancer Mariam Dagga (AP), Mohammed Salama (Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye), and journalists Ahmad Abu Aziz and Moaz Abu Taha. A Reuters contributor, Hatem Khaled, was wounded.
The killings triggered a global outcry. Reuters said it was “horrified,” AP expressed “shock and sadness,” and Al Jazeera condemned what it called Israeli “murders” of journalists. Press freedom organizations, including the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate and Reporters Without Borders, accused Israel of “silencing independent voices in Gaza.” The United Nations reiterated that “hospitals and journalists are not a target” and called for an independent investigation.
Israel’s Western allies also voiced sharp criticism. While Donald Trump said he was “not happy” about the hospital raid, the UK and Germany stated they were “shocked” and “horrified.” Spain called it an “unacceptable violation of humanitarian law,” France urged Israel to “respect” international norms, and Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called for the protection of journalists. Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said he was “dismayed by what is happening in Gaza.”
In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced an investigation into the incident, stating its soldiers “do not target journalists as such” and act to “mitigate harm to uninvolved persons as much as possible.” However, the rising civilian death toll appears to contradict these assurances.
Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing “deep regret” for what he called a “tragic accident” and announcing a willingness to immediately begin negotiations to free hostages and end the war, a diplomatic stalemate persists. In reaction, the families of hostages plan to escalate their protests across Israel in a ‘Day of Struggle’ to pressure the government to accept a deal for their loved ones’ return and, consequently, end the fighting in Gaza.