The Israeli military is widening its area of control into large parts of the Gaza Strip, the country's defense chief says. Meanwhile, Germany announced that some of its citizens have left the territory.

But backing Israel is expensive and Mr Trump hates spending lavishly to defend America’s allies. On top of $18bn in military aid, America has burned through at least $5bn to fund its own military operations in the Middle East since October 7th. The president may eventually balk at the cost of supporting a hegemonic Israel.

One Israeli strike killed at least 17 people in a United Nations building, previously a clinic, that had been converted into a shelter for more than 700 displaced people.