7am Why Trump didn’t visit Israel and what it means for Gaza
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May 19, 2025 
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, dives into the escalating conflict in Gaza, detailing Israel's recent military strategies and the shocking humanitarian crisis. He discusses the complexities behind Israel's tactics, the mixed sentiments within Israeli society about the war, and the implications of Donald Trump's recent visit to the region. Carlstrom reveals how U.S. involvement could shift the status quo and suggests what a potential ceasefire might look like, highlighting the tangled web of international and local politics at play.
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Israel's Occupation Plan in Gaza
- Israel's current military strategy is to occupy land in Gaza permanently, not just conduct temporary raids.
- This marks a shift from earlier tactics, aiming to control territory and displace Palestinians southward.
Coalition's Ethnic Cleansing Aim
- Netanyahu's coalition includes hard-right ministers who see the war as a chance to ethnically cleanse Gaza.
- They aim to depopulate Gaza's Palestinians and rebuild Jewish settlements abolished in 2005.
Hamas Leadership and Recruitment
- Hamas leadership inside Gaza has been severely weakened by Israeli attacks, killing many top figures.
- Yet, numerous new recruits fuel Hamas due to ongoing devastation, limiting but not ending its threat.