The Israeli military continued airstrikes on the Gaza Strip despite US President Donald Trump's announcement of a breakthrough on the ceasefire. Palestinian health officials reported that at least four people were killed in separate attacks on Sunday in Deir al-Balah and Gaza City.
In Deir al-Balah, a man and his wife were killed and four others wounded in an attack targeting an apartment. In Gaza City, two people, including a child, were killed in an airstrike on another apartment.
Trump's 'Breakthrough' Announcement and Roadmap
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a breakthrough had been achieved after Hamas agreed to disarm under a US-backed initiative. Trump's Peace Council also released a 15-point roadmap on Friday for implementing the ceasefire agreement reached in Egypt last year.
However, the plan has yet to be implemented. Hamas stated it would hand over its weapons for storage on condition that Israel halts military operations and withdraws its forces in accordance with last year's agreement. An Israeli official told Reuters that the military would not withdraw from its current positions unless Hamas carries out 'genuine disarmament'.
Reactions from Israel and Dahlan's Claim
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet publicly commented on the US initiative. In contrast, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir deemed the initiative unacceptable and argued that Israel should continue assassinations of Hamas leaders.
Mohammed Dahlan, a former senior Fatah official living in the United Arab Emirates, claimed in a Facebook post that Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, told him he was working with the Israeli side to stop the attacks on Gaza.
Dahlan stated that contacts with the US are ongoing to ensure full implementation of the agreement, adding that success now depends on Israel completely ending its daily attacks on Gaza. Reuters reached out to the US State Department regarding Dahlan's claims but has not yet received a response. There was also no comment from the Israeli side.
