 "A view of the site of Thursday's Israeli strike that damaged and destroyed residential buildings, at Shati (Beach) refugee camp, in Gaza City. Reuters")
Israel carried out airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday (Oct 4), Reuters reported, citing local authorities, just hours after US President Donald Trump called for a halt to the bombing, saying Hamas had agreed to release hostages and accept key terms of a US-brokered peace plan.
Gaza officials said six people were killed in the strikes — four in a home in Gaza City and two in Khan Younis in the south.
Israel prepares for Trump’s peace plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel was preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the first stage of Trump’s Gaza plan following Hamas’ response.
Shortly after, Israeli media reported that the government had instructed the military to scale back offensive operations.
The Israel Defense Forces chief of staff said troops were being readied to carry out the plan, though he did not confirm any reduction in combat activity.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, responded to Trump’s 20-point plan after the US president gave the group until Sunday to accept or face “grave consequences.”
‘Israel must immediately stop the bombing’: Trump
Trump, who has positioned himself as a key mediator, said on Friday he believed Hamas was “ready for a lasting PEACE” and called on Netanyahu to act.
“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” he wrote on Truth Social. “We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long-sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
Israel signals cooperation with US plan
Netanyahu’s office said 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.”
Families of hostages and a war-weary public are pressing Netanyahu to negotiate, while hardline members of his coalition insist on continuing military operations.
October 7 attack and Israel’s offence
Israel launched its offensive after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. About 48 hostages remain, 20 reportedly alive. Gaza health authorities say over 66,000 people have been killed, most civilians, and the assault has left much of the strip in ruins, with famine and dire conditions across the enclave.