Netanyahu expected at White House as Israel intensifies offensive on Gaza

Bombardment of Khan Younis and new operations in the north and south of the Strip. Houthi attack on Israel, US response. Trump: “No attacks from those militiamen.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected at the White House on Monday as the Israeli military stepped up operations in the Gaza Strip overnight, striking areas north and south of the enclave, including Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, Rafah and the Morag axis. In Khan Younis, a drone attack on a canteen killed at least three people. In total, according to Al Jazeera, at least five were killed at dawn.

The overall toll since March 18 – the day raids resumed after the ceasefire ended – has risen to at least 1,249 dead and more than 3,000 wounded, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, a New York Times investigation contradicts the Israeli version of a March 23 attack on Palestinian ambulances: according to the newspaper, the vehicles had emergency lights on, contrary to what the IDF claimed. The video, retrieved from a cell phone of a slain doctor, was authenticated by the U.S. newspaper. Israel confirmed, however, that it had struck “Hamas-linked targets,” including the Shubaki militant accused of participating in the Oct. 7 massacre.

Yemen has also returned to the center of tensions in recent hours, with the Houthi rebel movement announcing a drone strike against an Israeli military target in Jaffa. Israel reported the interception of a UAV in the Arava desert. In response, the U.S. struck Houthi targets in Yemen: President Donald Trump released video of a U.S. airstrike against militants in preparation, wryly commenting, “Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis!”

Meanwhile, tensions are also growing on the border with Lebanon. Morgan Ortagus, deputy U.S. special envoy, has arrived in Beirut for talks with local leaders amid growing instability. Indeed, Israel has intensified its air raids, also striking the Lebanese capital, while rockets have been fired toward Israeli territory. Hezbollah has denied involvement in the launches.

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