Israel defies Trump’s peace plan as it escalates deadly attacks on Gaza

Israeli military activity in the Gaza Strip has escalated significantly following the announcement of a second-phase ceasefire roadmap last week. The intensified bombardment has resulted in substantial casualties, with weekend attacks killing at least 26 Palestinians, including women and children, with 19 deaths occurring on a single day.

While US President Donald Trump characterized Hamas's acceptance of the Gaza deal as a major diplomatic achievement, the situation on the ground presents a starkly different picture. Hamas formally agreed to a phased disarmament framework, yet Israel's government has publicly stated it harbours "serious security concerns" about the plan. Israeli political figures have mounted strong resistance to the agreement, and media reports indicate the government is demanding complete Hamas disarmament with weapons transferred to a Western state, while excluding Palestinian entities from managing the disarmament process.

Palestinian political analyst Eyad al-Qarra expressed concern that continued Israeli attacks could prompt Palestinian factions to withdraw from negotiations, potentially triggering a wider conflict. He emphasized the importance of Palestinian groups avoiding actions that could be portrayed as justifying further Israeli military escalation. The ongoing bombardment threatens to undermine Trump's peace initiative and worsen the humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza's population.