At least six people were killed after Israel launched fresh strikes on the Gaza Strip on Saturday, intensifying the conflict just hours after US President Donald Trump had publicly called for an immediate halt to the bombing to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages.
The renewed military activity came despite a significant diplomatic breakthrough: the Palestinian militant group Hamas had agreed to release all hostages and accepted some terms laid out in President Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at ending the protracted war. Reuters quoted medical workers and local authorities as confirming the casualties, stating that one strike killed four people in a house in Gaza City, while a separate attack killed two others in Khan Younis in the south.
Israel Prepares for Hostage Release Phase
Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement indicating a readiness to proceed with the peace initiative. The office announced that Israel was preparing for an “immediate implementation” of the first stage of Trump’s Gaza plan, which centers on the release of Israeli hostages following Hamas’s response.
Shortly after this announcement, Israeli media reported that the country’s political echelon had instructed the military to reduce offensive activity in Gaza. Netanyahu’s office affirmed this cooperation, stating that Israel “will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles set out by Israel, which align with President Trump’s vision.” The Israeli military chief of staff had also instructed forces to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of Trump’s plan, though the directive did not explicitly mention a reduction of military activity.
Trump’s Ultimatum and Call for Peace
Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, had delivered its response to the 20-point plan after President Trump gave the group a deadline of Sunday to accept the terms or face “grave consequences.”
On Friday, President Trump had used his Truth Social platform to pressure the Israeli government, stating that he believed Hamas had demonstrated it was “ready for a lasting peace.” In a pointed message, he wrote: “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.” He added that the parties were already in detailed discussions, framing the current negotiations as a pursuit of “long sought peace in the Middle East.”
War Context and Casualty Toll
The ongoing offensive was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken as hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies cited by Reuters. Israel’s government currently maintains that 48 hostages remain in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
The conflict has devastated the Gaza Strip. The report quoted Gaza health authorities as stating that Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 66,000 people in Gaza, with most of the casualties being civilians.