Trump ‘fully supports Israel’ as it resumes Gaza attacks: White House
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands following a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S. on Feb. 04, 2025. (AFP Photo)
U.S. President Donald Trump “fully supports Israel” as it resumes attacks on the Gaza Strip, the White House confirmed Thursday, amid a rising death toll in the besieged enclave.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt blamed Hamas for Israel’s decision to restart its offensive after a cease-fire that had lasted nearly two months. She emphasized Trump’s stance, stating that he “has made it very clear that he wants all of those hostages to come home.”
“He fully supports Israel and the Israeli army and the actions they’ve taken in recent days,” Leavitt added.
Israel’s surprise aerial campaign, which began Tuesday, shattered the cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement brokered in January. More than 700 Palestinians have been killed and over 900 injured in the strikes.
Death toll rises
Since October 2023, nearly 50,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed in Israeli attacks, with more than 112,000 injured, following Hamas’ cross-border assault on Israel, which left 1,200 people dead.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.
