Trump Urges Swift Hamas Action as Gaza Airstrikes Persist
Despite calls from former U.S. President Donald Trump for an immediate halt to Israeli bombing, Israeli airstrikes continued across the Gaza Strip, reportedly killing dozens of Palestinians. This occurred even as Hamas considers a plan proposed by Trump to end the conflict.
Continued Airstrikes and Casualties in Gaza
Medical sources in Gaza reported that at least 70 Palestinians were killed in recent Israeli attacks. Many of the casualties occurred in Gaza City, where the Israeli army has been conducting an offensive, forcing approximately one million residents to flee south. Eighteen people died in a strike on a residential home in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City. The Gaza Civil Defence agency reported that seven children, aged between two months and eight years, were among the dead.
Israeli forces also targeted a displacement camp in al-Mawasi, a designated "safe humanitarian zone," killing two children and injuring at least eight others. The area has been repeatedly targeted in recent weeks. Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary reported air raids on other areas including the Nuseirat refugee camp, stating that hospitals are overwhelmed by the number of casualties amid severe fuel shortages.
Trump’s Demands for a Swift Resolution
On Saturday, Trump urged Hamas to quickly release captives and finalize negotiations regarding his plan to end the war, warning that “all bets will be off” if there are delays. In posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump indicated that Israel had agreed to an initial “withdrawal line” shared with Hamas. He asserted that a ceasefire would be immediately effective upon Hamas's confirmation, followed by a hostage and prisoner exchange.
Hamas has reportedly agreed to key parts of Trump's 20-point proposal, including Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and the release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners. However, outstanding issues remain, such as Hamas's willingness to disarm.
Negotiations and Perspectives on the Proposed Plan
Trump intends to dispatch envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Egypt to finalize the technical details of the captive release and discuss a lasting peace deal. Egypt is also scheduled to host delegations from Israel and Hamas to further these discussions. The first phase of Trump’s proposal involves the return of all captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that negotiators would be working on a timeline for the release of remaining captives in Egypt, reiterating that the US proposal includes the demilitarization of Hamas, either through negotiation or military action. Hamas has criticized Israel’s ongoing attacks as proof of “Netanyahu’s lies” about ceasing the offensive.
Adnan Hayajneh, a professor at Qatar University, suggested that Hamas seeks guarantees for the full implementation of Trump’s plan, including the future governance of Gaza. He characterized the plan as potentially requiring a Hamas surrender, stating the group is likely holding the hostages as a vital bargaining chip.
The Ongoing Conflict's Devastating Toll
The Israel-Hamas war has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, with experts suggesting the actual toll could be much higher.
