On May 16, 2025, many Palestinians in Gaza left their homes, taking what they could, as Israeli military attacks grew stronger. CNN
Israel Begins Large-Scale Attack in Gaza
Israel has started a new and major military campaign in Gaza. The military named the operation “Gideon’s Chariots.” The goal is to defeat Hamas and free hostages. This move came just as US President Donald Trump ended his visit to the region without reaching any ceasefire deal.
The Israeli army said it launched heavy attacks and sent troops to important areas in Gaza. A military statement said they will continue operations until they meet all their goals.
Prime Minister Confirms Expansion
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already announced plans to expand operations in Gaza. He said many civilians would be moved to the south. One top official said the new goal is to fully “conquer” Gaza.
On Thursday and Friday, the army increased its strikes in both the north and south. Over 100 people have died in the latest wave of attacks, according to local sources.
Trump’s Visit Brings No Truce
Trump left the Middle East without securing peace. He skipped visiting Israel and instead made deals with other groups. One Israeli-American hostage was freed, and some militants agreed to stop attacking US ships.
Trump denied leaving Israel out of talks. He said, “This is good for Israel.” Later, he added, “We’re going to get that taken care of,” referring to Gaza. He also said he wanted to turn Gaza into a “freedom zone” with US support.
Dire Situation for Gaza Residents
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is growing worse. The United Nations says over 436,000 people have been forced from their homes since March. Food, water, and medicine are very limited.
For nearly 11 weeks, Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza. Officials say the blockade pressures Hamas to release hostages. But many global organizations say using hunger this way breaks international law.
A UN study warns that one in five people in Gaza faces starvation. The whole population could soon suffer from a severe food crisis.
New Aid Plan Faces Doubts
The US and Israel are supporting a new group to manage aid called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. It aims to replace the UN’s role in delivering help.
But many aid agencies remain skeptical.
The head of the foundation said Israel agreed to let in some food. However, it’s still unclear how much and when it will arrive.
Despite criticism, Israel says it will keep pushing. Netanyahu said, “They have nowhere to return to.” He believes Gazans will eventually want to leave the territory entirely—a view Trump supported early in his presidency.
High Death Toll Since War Began
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 53,000 people have died in the war since October 2023. Most of the dead are women and children. The conflict began after Hamas-led groups launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
