Dozens of Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on Saturday, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for Israel to halt attacks following Hamas’ partial acceptance of his peace plan to end the two-year conflict. Local health officials reported at least 36 deaths since Trump urged Israel to stop bombings late Friday, with 18 killed in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood after a strike hit a residential building. Israel claimed the target was a Hamas militant posing a threat, expressing regret for civilian casualties.
Trump announced on Truth Social that Israel had agreed to an “initial withdrawal line” inside Gaza, saying, “When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective.” The former president praised Hamas’ acceptance of key parts of his 20-point peace plan — including ending the war, withdrawing Israeli forces, and exchanging hostages and prisoners — but the group left disarmament open for negotiation, a key Israeli demand.
Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are heading to Egypt to discuss the details of the hostage exchange and peace framework, according to the White House. Egypt will host delegations from both sides on Monday, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed negotiators would attend talks, emphasizing the need to keep them short. Netanyahu reiterated his stance that Hamas must be disarmed, warning that Gaza would be demilitarized “politically or militarily.”
The prolonged conflict, which began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages, has resulted in more than 67,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to local authorities.
Trump’s intervention has drawn international support, with world leaders urging a ceasefire and hostage release. Yet divisions persist within Israel’s government, as far-right ministers call halting strikes a “grave mistake,” even as pressure mounts for an end to the devastating war.