Israeli airstrikes persisted in Gaza for a second consecutive day, resulting in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians. This occurs despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of progress in implementing the previous year’s Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated that no agreement exists to stop the attacks. He emphasized the necessity for Israel, which currently controls 70% of Gaza, to gain complete control. Cohen is part of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s security cabinet, a small group of ministers responsible for overseeing security and diplomatic policies.
Palestinian health officials reported multiple airstrikes across the enclave, targeting areas in northern Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah, and the southern region of Khan Younis. In Deir al-Balah, a strike on an apartment resulted in the death of a man and his wife, while four others sustained injuries. Another strike in Gaza City claimed the lives of two individuals, including a child.
A father, mother, and their 9-year-old son were killed around dawn after a strike on a house in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis. Another person died near Jabalia in northern Gaza.
The Israeli military indicated that the strikes in Deir al-Balah targeted two commanders of Hamas’ elite “Nukhba” force. The actions in Gaza City and Jabalia also aimed at “military operatives,” with ongoing assessments of the situation.
Since reaching a ceasefire in October, Israeli strikes have resulted in at least 1,230 Palestinian deaths. On Thursday, Trump announced a breakthrough after Hamas agreed to disarm under a U.S.-backed plan to implement the ceasefire reached last year in Egypt.
The U.S.-led Board of Peace released a 15-point roadmap outlining the final steps needed to enforce the agreement.
Roadmap Implementation Pending
The roadmap remains unimplemented. Hamas has stated it will only relinquish its weapons for storage after Israel ceases military operations and withdraws its forces in accordance with last year’s agreement. An Israeli official told Reuters that withdrawal from military positions depends on Hamas’ “genuine disarmament.”
Cohen expressed skepticism on Army Radio about Hamas disarming, suggesting the group would attempt to hide its weaponry instead.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has yet to publicly address the initiative. However, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the plan, advocating for the continued targeting of Hamas leaders. Former senior Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan, based in the United Arab Emirates, mentioned in a Facebook post that Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, is working with Israel to halt the attacks.
Dahlan indicated that communications with the U.S. are ongoing to ensure complete implementation of the agreement, asserting its success depends on Israel ending its daily strikes on Gaza fully.
Reuters reached out to the U.S. State Department for comments on Dahlan’s statements, but there was no immediate response from Israel.