Gaza/Tel Aviv/Washington – Israeli air and ground forces launched a new wave of strikes on Gaza, intensifying pressure on Hamas even as Palestinians expressed growing frustration and uncertainty over the timeline of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan.
The strikes targeted multiple locations across the enclave, including suspected Hamas command centers, weapons depots, and tunnel networks. Residents reported heavy bombardment overnight, with explosions lighting up the skyline as Israeli forces expanded their operations in several densely populated areas. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the attacks were aimed at “neutralizing immediate threats” and weakening Hamas’s operational capabilities.
The escalation comes just days after Trump issued a deadline to Hamas to accept what he described as a “last chance” Gaza deal. His 20-point peace plan outlines strict security guarantees, a transitional governing council, and significant international investment in reconstruction — but only after hostilities cease.
On the ground, however, the reality remains grim. Humanitarian groups reported rising civilian casualties and worsening conditions in Gaza, where food, fuel, and medical supplies are running dangerously low. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes.
For many Palestinians, Trump’s plan has become a distant hope amid the relentless bombardment. “We keep hearing about peace, but all we see are airstrikes,” said Ahmed Khalil, a resident of Gaza City. “If this plan is real, when will it start? People are dying every day.”
Israel has maintained that military pressure is necessary to ensure Hamas agrees to any meaningful ceasefire terms. Government officials argue that pausing operations prematurely would allow the group to regroup and strengthen its defenses. “We will continue our actions until the security of Israeli citizens is guaranteed,” an Israeli spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, diplomats in Washington and regional capitals are working to bridge the gap between Trump’s political ultimatum and the complex realities on the ground. Analysts say the credibility of Trump’s plan now hinges on whether it can actually stop the fighting and create a framework for governance that both sides accept.
As bombs continue to fall, Palestinians are caught between escalating military operations and the uncertainty of a peace plan that has yet to take shape. For many, the question is no longer whether the plan sounds promising — but whether it will come in time to save lives.