Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 70 Palestinians on Saturday, according to medical sources, even after US President Donald Trump urged Israel to stop its assault following Hamas’s partial acceptance of his 20-point plan to end the war.
At least 45 of those killed died in Gaza City, where Israeli forces have intensified operations in recent weeks, driving nearly a million people toward the overcrowded south. Medics said 18 people were killed and several others injured in an Israeli strike on a residential home in the Tuffah neighborhood, which also damaged nearby buildings.
Gaza’s civil defence agency said seven children aged between two months and eight years were among the victims. In southern Gaza, an Israeli strike on al-Mawasi — a declared humanitarian zone — killed two children and injured at least eight others. The area has faced repeated attacks in recent months.
Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary reported air raids in Nuseirat refugee camp, saying, “Hospitals are unable to treat all of these Palestinians.” She added, “What is happening on the ground doesn’t show that there is any type of ceasefire.”
Trump on Saturday pressed Hamas to swiftly release captives and finalise negotiations under his peace plan, warning, “or else all bets will be off.” He wrote on Truth Social, “I will not tolerate delay… Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!”
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Later, Trump said Israel had agreed to an initial “withdrawal line” shared with Hamas. “When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective,” he wrote, outlining the start of a hostage-prisoner exchange and the next phase of Israeli withdrawal.
Hamas has accepted key parts of Trump’s proposal — including Israeli withdrawal and prisoner swaps — but has not clarified its position on disarmament. Trump will send envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Egypt to finalise details. Egypt confirmed it will host delegations from Israel and Hamas on Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said from Jerusalem that negotiators will work on a timeline for the release of captives, adding that Hamas’s demilitarisation “will be achieved either through Trump’s proposal or through Israeli military action.”
Hamas condemned Israel’s continuing attacks, saying they prove “Netanyahu’s lies” about halting the offensive. “The Zionist occupation army continues to commit its horrific crimes and massacres against our Palestinian people,” the group said, urging international action.
Adnan Hayajneh, professor of international relations at Qatar University, said Hamas seeks guarantees that Trump’s plan will be fully implemented, including clarity on Gaza’s future governance. “If you look at the plan, it’s almost a surrender for Hamas,” he said, suggesting the group is keeping the hostage issue “for the last minute.”
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Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israel’s war has killed more than 67,000 people, with experts estimating the true toll could be nearly three times higher.