Tags: donald-trump, benjamin-netanyahu
Israel bombed a Gaza hospital, killing at least 20 Palestinians, including five journalists, in a “double tap” strike; the Israeli military claims the hospital housed Hamas surveillance equipment. Separately, Trump announced plans to admit 600,000 Chinese students amidst ongoing trade talks, signaling a potential shift in U.S.-China relations.
President Donald Trump announced on Monday he will “green light” 600,000 Chinese students to study in the U.S. amidst ongoing trade talks with China. This statement, made during an Oval Office meeting, marks a potential shift in U.S.-China relations after escalating tariffs and restrictions on international students. Trump emphasized the importance of allowing Chinese students into the U.S., stating, “I hear so many stories that we’re not going to allow their students. We’re going to allow their students to come in. It’s very important. 600,000 students. It’s very important. We’re going to get along with China.”
This decision comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans in May to aggressively review and potentially revoke visas for Chinese nationals, raising concerns about Chinese influence and intellectual property theft. However, Trump’s recent announcement indicates a softening of this stance. This shift is likely linked to the ongoing trade negotiations with China. Allowing a significant influx of Chinese students could be seen as a goodwill gesture or a bargaining chip in these discussions. The economic benefits of Chinese students studying in the U.S., including tuition revenue and potential future contributions to the American economy, may also factor into the decision.
Currently, approximately 270,000 Chinese students are enrolled in U.S. universities, comprising a significant portion of the international student population. Last year, the U.S. government approved 400,000 student visas in total. Trump’s statement about allowing 600,000 Chinese students remains ambiguous. It’s unclear whether this figure is in addition to the existing 270,000 students or represents a total number, including renewals and new visas. Clarification is needed on how this influx will be managed and what specific programs will be impacted.
This decision represents a stark departure from the “America First” immigration rhetoric that characterized Trump’s campaigns and initial policies. The promise of mass deportations and stricter immigration enforcement has given way to a more accommodating stance, particularly concerning high-skilled labor and international students. This shift raises questions about the influence of business interests on the administration’s immigration policy. Companies in Silicon Valley and other tech sectors often lobby for more H1-B visas and other programs that allow them to hire foreign workers, often at lower wages than American workers.
Trump’s willingness to significantly increase the number of Chinese students in the U.S. suggests a prioritization of economic and trade considerations over concerns about national security, intellectual property theft, and the potential displacement of American workers. This decision further fuels the perception of a broken promise to those who voted for Trump based on his “America First” immigration platform. The ambiguity surrounding the exact number of students and the lack of clarity on the specific visa programs impacted necessitate further explanation from the administration. This sudden policy shift demands scrutiny and a clear articulation of how it aligns with the broader goals of American economic and national security interests.
The Israeli military bombed Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, twice on Monday, killing at least 20 Palestinians, including five journalists. The initial strike at 10:10 a.m. Gaza time hit the hospital’s fourth floor, housing surgical operating rooms and doctors’ residences. After rescue workers and journalists arrived at the scene, a second strike killed 18 more, a tactic known as a “double tap.” The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the military claimed the initial strike targeted a Hamas camera used to observe IDF forces. An Israeli tank shell struck the area, and a second was fired to ensure the camera’s destruction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later called the double tap a “tragic mishap,” but Israel’s Channel 14 reported soldiers saying the attack was coordinated with senior command.
The slain journalists included Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri and four freelancers: Mariam Abu Daga (Associated Press), Muhammad Salama (Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera), Muaz Abu Taha (several news outlets), and Ahmed Abu Aziz (Middle East Eye). Daga recently co-authored an Associated Press report on malnourished children in Gaza suffering under the Israeli blockade, and Salama had expressed fears of being targeted by the IDF following the assassination of Al Jazeera reporter Anas Al Sharif. According to the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate, this attack brings the total number of journalists killed by Israeli attacks to over 244 since the start of the war in Gaza.
The double tap tactic appears to be standard procedure for the IDF in Gaza, as revealed by a 972 Magazine investigation published last month. This policy involves an initial strike followed by a second attack on the same target, often when first responders and journalists are present. The attack on Nasser Hospital tragically demonstrates this pattern, with the second strike specifically killing rescue workers and journalists who had arrived to cover the initial bombing. The Israeli military’s justification for targeting the hospital – claiming a Hamas camera was present – raises serious questions about the proportionality and legality of the attack. The double tap policy, coupled with the high number of journalists killed, suggests a deliberate attempt to suppress reporting on the conflict and its devastating impact on civilians.
Israel’s actions in Gaza extend beyond the targeting of journalists. The ongoing blockade has led to widespread famine and suffering, with an estimated 70% of casualties being women and children. The destruction of hospitals, schools, and other infrastructure further exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. Western journalists play a crucial role in documenting these events, as the Israeli press operates under military censorship. Their reports provide a vital window into the realities of the conflict, a window that Israel seemingly seeks to close through the systematic targeting of journalists.
The bombing of Nasser Hospital and the killing of five journalists represent a grave escalation in the conflict. The use of double tap strikes, the targeting of a hospital, and the subsequent loss of civilian lives, including those of journalists documenting the crisis, raise serious ethical and legal questions about Israel’s conduct in Gaza. The international community must condemn these actions and demand accountability for the killing of journalists and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.