Five Palestinians died in Israeli airstrikes on Sunday across Gaza, local authorities confirmed. Two people were killed and several others hurt in an attack on a home in central Deir el-Balah. Three more were killed in a strike targeting an apartment in northern Gaza City. Meanwhile, 19 Palestinians were killed on Saturday in Israeli attacks, bringing the weekend death toll to 26 people, including women and children.
Resistance to Trump's peace plan grows
The attacks occurred two days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace announced a 15-point strategy to carry out last year’s Gaza ceasefire deal. However, no progress has been made in applying the plan. Hamas insists it will only surrender its weapons once Israel stops its military actions and pulls its troops back as outlined in the previous agreement. Israel’s government says it has 'serious security concerns' about the plan, and there has been strong resistance from Israeli politicians to the deal.
An Israeli government source told Reuters that Israel would not retreat from its positions unless Hamas agrees to a full disarmament. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained silent on the proposal, offering no public statement. Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for Netanyahu’s office, said Israeli forces would not withdraw until the complete demilitarisation of Hamas, which further complicates the process.
Regional tension and diplomatic obstacles
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, dismissed Trump’s plan, calling it unacceptable. He argued Israel should keep attacking top Hamas figures. Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah leader based in the UAE, shared that Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a key U.S. adviser, said he is coordinating with Israel to stop Gaza strikes. Dahlan added that discussions with Washington remain ongoing, with the plan’s success now dependent on Israel halting all daily attacks. The continued bombardment of Gaza, contributing to Israel’s continued breaches of October’s 'ceasefire' agreement, will likely threaten Trump’s peace plan and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation for Palestinians in the enclave.
Ceasefire efforts overshadowed by military action
On Saturday, Israeli forces bombed a medical supply facility in central Gaza, creating a crater 20 meters wide and 10 meters deep. This incident highlights the ongoing military escalation despite peace efforts. There has been a huge uptick in attacks in Gaza since the Trump announcement, which stands in stark contrast to the diplomatic progress heralded by Washington.