GAZA / WASHINGTON: At least 70 Palestinians were reported killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, despite US President Donald Trump’s public appeal for Israel to stop its bombing. The strikes came after Hamas announced it had accepted parts of Washington’s proposed 20-point plan to end the conflict.
Medical officials confirmed that 45 of the casualties were in Gaza City, where Israeli forces have intensified their long-running campaign, forcing nearly one million residents to flee toward the already overcrowded southern region. In the Tuffah neighborhood, an Israeli missile struck a residential complex, killing 18 people, including several children, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. Seven of the victims were children aged between two months and eight years.
In southern Gaza’s al-Mawasi displacement camp, two children were killed and at least eight others injured in an Israeli attack, local medics reported.
The Israeli military stated its operations targeted Hamas militants posing threats to its soldiers and said it was investigating civilian casualty reports. “The IDF regrets any injury inflicted upon innocent civilians and takes efforts to minimize harm to the extent possible,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “lying” about reducing military actions, saying the ongoing bombardment “exposes Netanyahu’s dishonesty to the world.”
Trump Urges Hamas to Act Quickly on Peace Plan
Earlier on Saturday, Trump welcomed Israel’s temporary ceasefire but urged Hamas to “move quickly” to finalize the peace plan. “Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!” he tweeted on Truth Social, warning delays could jeopardize the agreement.
Trump’s 20-point plan calls for an Israeli withdrawal, a ceasefire, and prisoner and hostage exchanges. Hamas has accepted several points but reserved key issues—particularly disarmament—for further negotiation.
Trump later stated that “after negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line,” with a ceasefire to follow if Hamas consents. Israel has yet to confirm this officially.
Regional Diplomacy Intensifies
In a televised address, Netanyahu outlined the plan’s first phase, which requires Hamas to release hostages while Israeli forces “redeploy” but maintain control over strategic Gaza areas.
The White House confirmed that Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are headed to Egypt to finalize technical details. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry announced it will host Israeli and Hamas delegations on Monday for further talks.
Netanyahu expressed hope to announce the return of hostages by the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, beginning October 6. The plan’s second phase involves “the political or military disarmament” of Hamas, he said.
Growing War Fatigue in Israel
On Saturday, tens of thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv demanding a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from hostage families and a weary population, though far-right coalition members insist military action must continue. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called any pause in fighting “a grave mistake.”
The Gaza conflict, now entering its second year, has claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives—mostly civilians—since Israel launched its offensive following Hamas’s October 2023 attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis and left 251 kidnapped.
World leaders have urged both sides to seize this peace opportunity, warning that continued fighting risks derailing Trump’s fragile initiative and worsening Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.