Israel persisted in its bombardment of Gaza City, disregarding the appeal from US President Donald Trump to cease the attacks. Numerous air strikes and artillery fire throughout the night resulted in at least six fatalities and left many others injured. “It was an extremely violent night, during which the [Israeli army] executed numerous air strikes and artillery bombardments on Gaza City and other regions within the Strip, despite President Trump’s request to stop the bombing,” stated Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for Gaza civil defense, in an interview with AFP. He further noted that 20 homes were destroyed. The Baptist hospital in Gaza City reported casualties from a strike on a residence in the Tuffah neighborhood, which included four fatalities and several injuries. Meanwhile, Nasser hospital in Khan Younis reported that two children lost their lives and eight others were injured in a drone strike targeting a camp for displaced Gazans. This escalation occurred just hours after Hamas indicated a partial acceptance of Trump’s ultimatum to conclude the nearly two-year conflict. The militant organization announced its willingness to release all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons, as well as to relinquish governing authority in the Gaza Strip, in accordance with Trump’s plan. However, it did not specify whether it would disarm — a crucial condition of the proposal presented on Monday. In spite of the situation, Trump maintained an optimistic outlook. In a post on Truth Social, he remarked: “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
