Israeli air and ground attacks on Gaza have killed over 250 people since Thursday morning, according to local health officials, marking one of the deadliest surges in violence since a March ceasefire broke down. A broader ground invasion appears imminent.

U.S. President Donald Trump, concluding a Middle East trip on Friday with no clear progress toward renewing a ceasefire, acknowledged the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “A lot of pe he said. When asked about Israel’s war strategy, Trump expressed optimism:

Friday’s attacks focused on northern Gaza, including Beit Lahiya and the Jabalia refugee camp, where dozens, including women and children, were killed overnight. Health Ministry spokesman Khalil al-Deqran said bodies remained buried under rubble.

Despite mounting international calls for a ceasefire and for Israel to lift its blockade, Israeli forces continued their bombardment and deployed tanks along the border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously confirmed plans for an expanded offensive to eliminate Hamas and control humanitarian aid flows. An Israeli defence official, according to newsmen, had said the new campaign would not begin until Trump’s regional visit ended on Friday.

Israel launched its war in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the capture of roughly 250 hostages. Since then, Gaza’s Health Ministry says over 53,000 people have died in Israeli strikes, with nearly all of Gaza’s population displaced and aid agencies warning of mass starvation.

Leaflets dropped on Beit Lahiya ordered residents to flee south immediately, regardless of where they were sheltering. Meanwhile, Israeli forces reportedly advanced toward Khan Younis in the south.

On the ground, survivors described scenes of devastation. In Jabalia, men pulled wreckage apart to search for the dead. Children clambered through ruins, and mourning families gathered around rows of bodies wrapped in white cloth.

Even the U.S. has shown signs of concern. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that Washington is troubled by the humanitarian conditions and the ongoing blockade.

While Israel has sent negotiators to Doha for ceasefire talks brokered by Qatar, Netanyahu has rejected concessions and reaffirmed his intent to dismantle Hamas.

Meanwhile, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum — representing relatives of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza — warned that Israel could be squandering a rare diplomatic opportunity. the group said.

Reuters/s.s