Israeli airstrikes kill at least two in Gaza after Trump announces Hamas disarmament deal
Israeli airstrikes on Saturday killed at least two people in Gaza, with Palestinian authorities later reporting seven dead, a day and a half after US President Donald Trump announced an agreement for Hamas's disarmament and Israeli withdrawal.
Strikes follow deal announcement
Israeli warplanes struck multiple locations across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing at least two people according to initial hospital reports, with Palestinian authorities later raising the death toll to seven. The airstrikes hit Gaza City, the central town of Deir al-Balah, and areas near Khan Younis, the Palestinian civil defense said. The attacks came roughly 36 hours after US President Donald Trump unveiled a framework agreement that would require Hamas to disarm in exchange for a ceasefire and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas has conditionally accepted the proposal, but Israel has not issued an official response.
Death toll climbs through the day
Local hospitals initially reported two fatalities, one person killed in a strike on Gaza City and another in Deir al-Balah. The Israeli military said it had targeted "Hamas terrorists" in both locations. Later on Saturday, the Palestinian civil defense and health authorities in Gaza told Agence France-Presse that at least seven people had been killed in the day's strikes. The Israeli army did not comment on the higher figure, and it remained unclear whether the discrepancy reflected additional casualties from later strikes or a consolidation of earlier reports.
Hospital medical stores destroyed
One of the most damaging strikes hit near the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. The Israeli army said it attacked a Hamas weapons storage facility that the group was using as a hideout. Gaza's Health Ministry reported that the strike destroyed two warehouses storing medicine and heavily damaged two others, rendering critical supplies unusable.
Life-saving medical goods for patients are unusable or destroyed.
The Israeli military said it was examining the reports of damage to the hospital's medical stores.
A deal in limbo
Trump's proposal, presented earlier in the week, calls for a ceasefire and the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops in exchange for the disarmament of Hamas. While Hamas has signaled it would accept the terms under certain conditions, Israel's government has remained silent. The fresh violence, occurring even as the deal was being discussed, leaves the ceasefire effort in an uncertain state. The Israeli military's statement that it targeted Hamas operatives and weapons caches suggests that operations are continuing despite the diplomatic push.
