Israel strikes Gaza after US President Trump calls for end to bombardment, 6 killed

Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza on Saturday, local authorities reported, despite US President Doland Trump calling for a pause in the bombings, Reuters reported. Earlier, Trump said Hamas is prepared to pursue peace, agreeing to release hostages and comply with certain provisions outlined in a US-backed plan to end the conflict.

Who carried out the latest strikes in Gaza?

Local authorities reported that Israeli fire has killed six people in the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported. A strike hit a house in Gaza City and killed four individuals, while another strike hit Khan Younis in the south and killed two people, according to medical personnel and local authorities. Earlier today, the Israeli Defence Force confirmed that they are ready to implement “the first stage of Trump’s plans to free the hostages”, Times of Israel reported.

As per the report, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held talks with the top general of Israel to assess the situation in light of the development. A statement from the military says that “per the order of the political echelon,” Zamir instructed the Israel Defence Forces to gear up “for the implementation of the first stage of Trump’s plans to free the hostages”.

Where is the US positioning itself amid the escalating conflict?

It is to be noted that the recent attack comes after Hamas signalled its willingness to accept United States President Doland Trump’s Gaza peace plan announced earlier this week. Furthermore, Israel said it would continue working in “full cooperation” with Trump after Hamas’ response. The announcement, issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office following Trump’s appeal for progress on the release of hostages, was later deleted from X(previously Twitter).

“We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team in order to bring the war to an end in accordance with the principles set forth by Israel, which are consistent with President Trump’s vision,” reads the post.

It is to be noted that the statement made no mention of Trump’s call for Israel to “stop bombing” Gaza to ensure hostages’ safety.

Trump mentioned that the issue is not about peace in Gaza alone but in the whole of Middle East region. He further said that Israel should stop its attacks in Gaza so that it can quickly release its hostages. Sharing a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “Based on the statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”

What is the 20-point Gaza peace plan?

White House on Monday (local time) released a peace plan to end the two-year-old Gaza conflict following a meeting between US President Doland Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

1. The peace plan included that Gaza will be a deradicalised, terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbours and will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.
2. The peace plan stated that if both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed-upon line to prepare for a hostage release.
3. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.

The proposal also follows growing international pressure on both Israel and Washington to end the war, which began on October 7, 2023, after the Hamas attack in which around 1200 Israelis were killed. As per the Gaza health ministry, more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel’s bombardment of the enclave.

(This is breaking news. Further details awaited.)