US President Donald Trump has now shifted his focus to Gaza, as he pushes for a truce likely by “sometime next week.” Before departing Washington for Florida, the US president said, “We hope it’s going to happen, and we’re looking for it to happen sometime next week.”His statement came when reporters asked him if a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians could be in place before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. The resolution between Israel and Iran after 12 days of intense war has revived hopes for a halt to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Over 20 months of conflict have resulted in dire humanitarian conditions for the population of more than two million.Earlier, Trump urged Israel to “make the deal in Gaza,” but Tel Aviv has continued its offensive across the Palestinian territory.The Israeli military on Tuesday said that it has expanded its operation in Gaza. Ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to US, residents of Gaza reported fierce gunfire and shelling. 39-year-old, Raafat Halles, resident from the Shujaiya district of Gaza City, told AFP, “air strikes and shelling have intensified over the past week.” “I believe that every time negotiations or a potential ceasefire are mentioned, the army escalates crimes and massacres on the ground,” he said, adding, “I don’t know.”
