U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a potential end to the Gaza conflict within "two to three weeks," expressing personal dismay over Israel’s lethal strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital that killed 21 people, including five journalists. During a White House press briefing, Trump acknowledged the intolerable humanitarian crisis, stating, "Between the hunger and all of the other problems – worse than hunger, death, pure death — people [are] being killed. I’m not happy about it". His comments coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s emphasis on ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure hostage releases and eliminate Hamas, though Rubio reiterated Washington’s unwavering support for Israel’s objectives.
The Israeli military’s "double-tap" strike on Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, first hitting the fourth floor, then striking the same location 10 minutes later killed journalists from Reuters, AP, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye, alongside medics and patients. The Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation analyzed footage, confirming the use of precision-guided missiles and branding the attack a "deliberate double-tap war crime". Global reactions were swift. China demanded an immediate cessation of military operations, condemning the targeting of medical personnel and journalists. Australia called the attack "horrific" and urged Netanyahu to heed ceasefire calls. Switzerland and Canada stressed violations of international humanitarian law, with Canada terming the deaths "unacceptable". Reuters cameraman Husam al-Masri was among the victims, prompting Canadian photojournalist Valerie Zink to sever ties with the agency, accusing it of perpetuating Israeli propaganda that enabled the "systematic assassination of 245 journalists".
Gaza’s health ministry reported 62,744 Palestinian deaths since October 2023, predominantly women and children, with 289 starvation-related fatalities (including 115 children) as famine conditions worsen. The UN confirmed Israel’s blockade has triggered "catastrophic food insecurity," with 75% of Gaza’s population displaced and hospitals like Nasser operating at collapse capacity. Despite the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes, and the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) genocide case, Israel continues operations with U.S. diplomatic cover.
Trump’s timeline for ending the conflict aligns with intensified mediation by Qatar and Egypt, though Hamas’s ceasefire proposal, involving staggered hostage releases remains unanswered by Israel. Inside Israel, protesters in Tel Aviv accused Netanyahu of prioritizing Hamas’s destruction over hostage safety, demanding an immediate deal. The U.S. faces mounting criticism for providing $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) despite documented Israeli attacks on aid seekers, which have killed 2,095 Palestinians since May 2025.
While Trump’s prediction offers hope, any durable peace needs an immediate ceasefire with unconditional aid access and halt to military operations, accountability with enforcement of ICC warrants and independent investigations into war crimes and rejection of Israel’s occupation plans and support for a sovereign Palestinian state.