The Israeli military continues ongoing airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least eight deaths, including children and the elderly, despite Hamas announcing acceptance of the US-backed peace plan aimed at ending the war and leading to Israeli troop withdrawal. Israel, however, insists it will not withdraw troops unless Hamas fully disarms.
The Israeli military carried out continuous airstrikes across several areas in the Gaza Strip overnight from Saturday into Sunday (2 Aug), causing at least eight deaths and injuring many others. Most targets were residential buildings, despite diplomatic efforts showing some progress toward ending the war.
Gaza civil defense officials reported the attacks occurred around midnight in multiple residential areas. In the central Gaza Strip city of Deir al-Balah, an Israeli military helicopter struck an apartment building, killing a married couple and wounding at least four others.
In Gaza City, another residential building strike killed two people, including a child. An attack on an apartment in the northwest of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza killed three more civilians, including another child. Additionally, an elderly person died from a separate attack west of Gaza City.
Just one day earlier, Gaza officials reported that Israeli attacks had killed another eight people. Explosions damaged a hospital's medical supply warehouse and targeted rooftop areas in urban districts.
The latest attacks occurred despite Hamas announcing on Friday that it accepted the final operational plan promoted by US President Donald Trump. This plan seeks to advance the ceasefire agreement reached last year, including weapons handover by Hamas, gradual Israeli troop withdrawal, and permanent war cessation measures.
However, Hamas stated it would only hand over weapons for safekeeping under the agreement if Israel ends its military operations and withdraws forces according to the original ceasefire terms.
Israeli political sources revealed the government will not withdraw troops from currently occupied areas unless Hamas genuinely disarms. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly state his position on the US proposal.
Conversely, Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir opposed the plan, calling it unacceptable and urging the military to continue operations to eliminate Hamas leadership.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Dahlan, a former senior Fatah leader residing in the United Arab Emirates, said on Facebook that Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and key advisor involved in mediation efforts, informed him of ongoing coordination with Israel to halt attacks in Gaza.
Dahlan added that discussions with the US side continue to push for full implementation of the agreement, but the success of the process depends on Israel genuinely ending its military strikes in Gaza.
So far, neither the Israeli government nor the US State Department has officially responded to these claims. The situation in Gaza remains tense, and fighting continues despite efforts to advance a peace agreement.
Source: AFP /Reuters