Post by : Rameen Ariff

Israel carried out airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday, just hours after US President Donald Trump urged the country to halt its bombing campaign. Local authorities reported that six people were killed, including four in a house in Gaza City and two in Khan Younis, as medical teams confirmed the casualties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel is preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the first stage of Trump’s Gaza plan. This plan focuses on the safe release of Israeli hostages following Hamas’ response to Trump’s 20-point proposal. Israeli media later reported that political leaders instructed the military to scale down some offensive operations in Gaza.

The Israeli military chief of staff emphasized readiness for the first phase of Trump’s plan, without explicitly mentioning a full reduction in strikes. Hamas, which governs Gaza, has been given until Sunday to accept the terms or face serious consequences, according to Trump.

Trump, promoting himself as a key figure for peace in Gaza, called on Netanyahu to immediately stop the bombings to ensure hostages’ safe release. He highlighted that the plan is not just about Gaza, but a step toward long-term peace in the Middle East. Netanyahu’s office confirmed full cooperation with Trump’s team to follow principles aligned with the US plan.

Families of hostages held by Hamas have urged the Israeli government to start negotiations without delay. Domestically, Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from hostage families and a public exhausted by the war, while hardline members of his coalition continue to demand strong military action.

Israel began its offensive after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages to Gaza. Currently, Israel reports 48 hostages remain, with 20 confirmed alive. The military campaign has resulted in over 66,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis emerging due to restricted aid.

This ongoing conflict underscores the urgency of diplomatic efforts and highlights the complex challenges facing Israel, Hamas, and international mediators in achieving peace and securing hostages’ safety.

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