RIYADH -- U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday, kicking off his visit to the Middle East amid calls for Washington to play a role in facilitating regional stability.
The four-day whirlwind tour will take Trump to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, where the U.S. president intends to meet with Gulf leaders and finalize investment deals worth trillions of U.S. dollars. (Saudi Arabia-Trump-Visit)
- - - -
JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that in the coming days, the Israeli army will enter Gaza "with full force to complete the move and defeat Hamas," according to a statement issued by his office on Tuesday.
Speaking to wounded reserve soldiers on Monday, Netanyahu said, "With your spirit, we are going to a total victory. Eliminating Hamas and releasing all our hostages, it works together." (Israel-Gaza-Attack)
- - - -
ANKARA -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his support for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Ankara on Tuesday, according to the Turkish presidency.
Erdogan said that Türkiye is stepping up its diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, noting that he has spoken with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said a statement issued by the presidency. (Türkiye-Ukraine-Peace)
- - - -
GAZA -- At least six Palestinians were killed and 40 others injured in an Israeli airstrike on the European Hospital in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported that 16 people had died in the strike, while other media outlets cited rescuers who put the death toll at 28. (Gaza-Israeli Airstrike-Casualty) ■
