Israel has launched a fresh military operation in the Gaza Strip just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his controversial Middle East visit. The renewed offensive, announced by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday, has already resulted in a wave of air and ground assaults targeting what Israel claims are Hamas military installations.
The latest phase of the campaign—codenamed “Operation Iron Horizon”—is said to be aimed at dismantling the remaining command and logistics infrastructure of Hamas in southern Gaza, particularly in Khan Younis and Rafah. The escalation comes amid stalled ceasefire negotiations and growing criticism of civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions inside the besieged enclave.
“Israel will act wherever and whenever necessary to eliminate the threat of Hamas terrorism,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “We do not need international approval to defend our people and secure our future.”
According to IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, over 150 targets were hit overnight, including weapons depots, tunnel systems, and what the military described as a command hub in Rafah. At least 40 fatalities were reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry, most of them said to be civilians, including women and children.
The timing of the operation—launched almost immediately after Trump’s departure from the region—has drawn widespread attention and speculation. Trump had met with both Israeli and Arab leaders during his trip, where he endorsed Israel’s right to self-defense and urged “decisive action” against what he called “terror infrastructure.”
Palestinian authorities have condemned the new offensive, labeling it as “state terrorism” and accusing Israel of exploiting the cover of diplomatic discussions to continue its military objectives. “This is not self-defense—it is collective punishment,” said Palestinian Authority spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh. “The people of Gaza are paying the price for Israel’s defiance and impunity.”
Trump’s visit had already stoked tensions. His vocal support for Israel’s actions and dismissive tone toward Palestinian grievances were met with protests in Ramallah and other West Bank cities. Analysts suggest that Trump’s rhetoric may have emboldened Israeli leadership to pursue military action with reduced fear of diplomatic backlash.
“This operation appears to be greenlit by the political atmosphere Trump helped create,” said Amjad Atallah, a Middle East analyst based in Washington. “It’s no coincidence that the assault began right after his plane took off.”
International reactions have been swift. The European Union expressed “deep concern” over the renewed violence, urging both parties to return to the negotiating table. The United Nations called for an immediate ceasefire, citing fears of further civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. UN agencies report that over 80% of the population is now reliant on international aid, with critical shortages of medicine, food, and clean water. Relief efforts have been hampered by the ongoing blockade and now face further disruption due to the new Israeli offensive.
U.S. President Joe Biden has so far maintained a more cautious stance than his predecessor. In a statement from the White House, the Biden administration urged “restraint and the protection of civilian lives,” while reaffirming America’s “ironclad support for Israel’s security.”
Yet, pressure is mounting on Washington to intervene more forcefully. Members of Congress, including progressive Democrats, have called for a suspension of military aid to Israel until there is a verifiable reduction in hostilities and greater humanitarian access to Gaza.
Despite growing international outcry, Israeli officials remain firm. “We will finish what we started,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared during a press briefing. “No terrorist organization will be allowed to operate freely on our border. Period.”
As both sides dig in, prospects for a lasting ceasefire appear increasingly remote. Mediated negotiations in Doha and Cairo have stalled, and mutual distrust has intensified following the latest escalation. For now, the residents of Gaza brace for more violence, while the international community scrambles to prevent the conflict from spiraling even further.
Source: Politico Europe
