Gaza Residents Say Trump's Peace Plan Talk Ignores Grim Reality After Deadly Strikes

Palestinians in Gaza expressed dismay on Monday, stating that U.S. President Donald Trump's promotion of a peace plan to disarm Hamas and end the war felt disconnected from their grim reality. Their comments followed one of the deadliest days since a ceasefire last year, with Israeli forces killing 18 people.

Trump had declared a "major milestone" towards a Gaza peace plan agreed upon in October, outlining a phased approach for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal. However, significant complications have emerged. Israel's defense minister indicated that troops would not withdraw until Hamas disarms and its tunnels are destroyed. Hamas, conversely, insists Israel must halt attacks before it implements any part of the agreement concerning its arms.

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It was as if the war has resumed, there was an attack every one hour or less, and the planes struck places across the Gaza Strip, north, central and south, everywhere.

Nickolay Mladenov, the Gaza envoy for Trump's Board of Peace, was expected to meet with Israeli officials on Monday to push for a cessation of attacks. No Israeli airstrikes were reported in Gaza on Monday, and Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An Israeli official stated that forces would continue to "thwart any threat" to Israeli civilians and soldiers.

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We are waiting for displacement at any moment ... Our entire life is gone, our entire future is gone, our children's future is gone.

On the ground, many in Gaza, still reeling from the aftermath of the Israeli offensive launched after the October 7 attacks, described recent Israeli strikes as shattering any hope for progress. Israeli troops have occupied and depopulated two-thirds of the enclave, confining most of its over 2 million residents to a small coastal strip, often in makeshift shelters or damaged buildings.

"It was as if the war has resumed, there was an attack every one hour or less, and the planes struck places across the Gaza Strip, north, central and south, everywhere," said Aya Mohammad Zaki, 32, speaking to Reuters by phone. The casualties on Sunday included a couple and their child in an Israeli strike on a Gaza City apartment, which the Israeli military stated targeted military operatives. Resident Soumah Dawla, 60, noted the expansion of Israeli-held territory towards her home, expressing fear of imminent displacement and lamenting the loss of their lives and futures.

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thwart any threat