Israeli strikes kill 18 in Gaza as minister says no deal to halt attacks

Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes across Gaza for a second consecutive day on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 Palestinians. Medics reported the highest daily death toll in weeks, according to Palestinian health officials. These strikes occurred despite U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on Friday of a breakthrough in implementing last year's ceasefire agreement, which included Hamas agreeing to disarm.

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The government will give Hamas the opportunity to disarm but that he was 'very sceptical' that would happen.

From dawn, Israeli aircraft targeted Gaza City in the north, the central city of Deir al-Balah, and the southern area of Khan Younis. Palestinian health officials confirmed the significant casualties. The strikes hit tents, apartments, and houses. In Deir al-Balah, at least four people died, while a separate attack wounded five and set tents ablaze in Mawasi, near Khan Younis.

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There had been no deal to halt attacks on Gaza and that he saw a need for Israel, which already controls 70% of the enclave, to take full control of it if Hamas did not disarm.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, expressed skepticism about the disarmament plan. He told Israel's Army Radio that there was no deal to halt attacks on Gaza. Cohen indicated that Israel, which already controls 70% of the enclave, might need to take full control if Hamas does not disarm.

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In the deal we signed with the United States, our stance is that Hamas must be dismantled. This is the first thing that must happen.

A spokesperson for Netanyahu's office, Doron Spielman, told Reuters that Israel had conveyed concerns to the U.S. regarding the disarmament plan. "The most important concern for Israel is that nothing can happen before Hamas completely and truly disarms," Spielman stated. The Israeli military reported targeting two commanders of Hamas' elite "Nukhba" force in one strike and "military operatives" in others, adding that they were reviewing the situation.

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The most important concern for Israel is that nothing can happen before Hamas completely and truly disarms ...