Israel’s Continued Airstrikes in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty

CAIRO/JERUSALEM — Israeli airstrikes persisted in Gaza for a second consecutive day on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians. This occurred despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement claiming progress towards implementing last year’s Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, who is part of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s security cabinet, stated on Sunday that no deal was reached to cease attacks on Gaza. Cohen believes in the necessity for Israel, which currently controls 70% of the Strip, to assume full control over it.

Palestinian health officials reported separate airstrikes by Israeli warplanes across the enclave, specifically targeting the northern Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah, and the southern area of Khan Younis. An airstrike on an apartment in Deir al-Balah claimed the lives of a man and his wife, leaving four others wounded. In Gaza City, two more individuals, including a child, perished in a strike on an apartment, as noted by medics.

Another tragic incident unfolded in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, where a father, mother, and their 9-year-old son were killed at dawn due to a direct hit on a house. Additional casualties included a person killed near Jabalia in northern Gaza.

The Israeli military explained that the strikes in Deir al-Balah aimed at two commanders of Hamas’ elite “Nukhba” force. Strikes in Gaza City and Jabalia targeted “military operatives”; however, the military is still assessing the situation.

Since a ceasefire was established in October, at least 1,230 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli strikes.

On Thursday, Trump announced a breakthrough after Hamas agreed to disarm under a U.S.-supported initiative designed to execute the ceasefire agreement secured last year in Egypt. Trump’s Board of Peace, the U.S.-led entity supervising the ceasefire, released a 15-point roadmap outlining the final steps for the agreement’s implementation.

Roadmap yet to be implemented

The roadmap has not yet been executed. Hamas expressed willingness to relinquish its weapons for storage only after Israel ceases military operations and withdraws forces according to last year’s agreement. An Israeli official conveyed to Reuters that withdrawal from military positions would happen solely upon Hamas’ “genuine disarmament.”

Cohen conveyed skepticism via Army Radio regarding Hamas’ willingness to disarm, suggesting that Hamas might resort to subterfuge in concealing its arsenal.

Netanyahu has not publicly addressed the initiative, whereas National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir deemed the plan unacceptable, advocating for the continued targeting of Hamas leaders.

The situation prompted Mohammed Dahlan, a former senior Fatah official living in the United Arab Emirates, to post on Facebook. Dahlan revealed that Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, and a senior adviser involved in the U.S. initiative, informed him of ongoing efforts with the Israeli side to halt attacks on Gaza.

Dahlan emphasized ongoing communications with the U.S. to ensure full implementation of the agreement, stressing its success now hinges on Israel’s complete cessation of daily attacks on Gaza.

Reuters contacted the U.S. State Department for comments on Dahlan’s statements but received no immediate response from Israel.