Israeli Strikes Continue in Gaza Amid Doubts Over Trump-Announced Peace Deal

Israeli strikes have continued across Gaza hours after US President Donald Trump announced a “historic agreement” under which Hamas would be disarmed and the IDF would completely withdraw from the enclave.

At least one Palestinian was killed and several others were wounded in the attacks on Friday, according to Palestinian health officials cited by media reports.

The agreement was reached late on Thursday following talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the US under the Washington-led Board of Peace. Trump hailed it as a “monumental step toward lasting peace and security” and a major milestone in his 20-point plan for the enclave. However, both Hamas and Israeli officials have since questioned key provisions of the deal.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir described the draft agreement as “unacceptable to Israel.” Writing on Telegram, he said that the “targeted killings” of “Hamas terrorists” in Gaza must continue, along with the “encouragement” of Palestinian “emigration” from the enclave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that Israeli forces will “remain in the security zones as long as necessary.”

Hamas has insisted that no disarmament will take place while Israeli forces remain in Gaza. In a statement, the group said any discussion of the handover of heavy weapons was conditional on a complete end to hostilities, a full Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, international guarantees and progress toward Palestinian statehood.

According to AFP, Hamas sources said the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a Palestinian technocratic body established by the Board of Peace, would become the sole authority responsible for managing and storing Hamas’ weapons. Reuters separately reported that Hamas had reiterated that any handover remained contingent on an Israeli withdrawal and increased humanitarian aid entering the enclave.

Under the published roadmap, Israel must complete “without delay” its remaining commitments under the October ceasefire arrangements, “particularly the cessation of military operations.” Hamas and other Palestinian factions would transfer civilian governance and security functions to the NCAG. Heavy weapons and military infrastructure would subsequently be decommissioned under the committee’s administration, while Israeli forces would withdraw in phases.

The Board of Peace was established under Trump’s Gaza plan following last October’s ceasefire to oversee the enclave’s post-war transition and reconstruction. It is tasked with supervising reconstruction, supporting the transfer of civilian governance to the NCAG and coordinating the deployment of an international stabilization force.

According to the Gaza health authorities, at least 73,340 Palestinians have been killed and more than 174,000 wounded since Israel launched its military campaign in response to the deadly Hamas raid of October 2023.