Israel Strikes Gaza: Fresh airstrikes rocked parts of Gaza early Thursday, just hours after US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of his new peace plan to end the ongoing war.
According to Gaza’s civil defence agency, several explosions were reported across the territory following the announcement. Mohammed Al-Mughayyir, a senior official with the agency, said that “a series of intense airstrikes” had hit northern Gaza, particularly Gaza City. “Since the announcement last night of an agreement on a proposed ceasefire framework, several explosions have been reported,” he told AFP.
The latest strikes raised doubts about the durability of the ceasefire plan, which Trump said marked “the first phase” of his peace framework. “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
However, the US President provided few details about the agreement, prompting questions over whether it could hold after numerous failed peace attempts in the past year.
The announcement came a day after the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which triggered Israel’s massive military response in Gaza. The conflict has since claimed more than 67,000 lives and devastated much of the enclave.
Trump’s plan, outlined in a 20-point framework, was reached after indirect negotiations in Egypt. The first phase reportedly includes a temporary ceasefire, humanitarian aid delivery, and the exchange of hostages and prisoners. If fully implemented, the deal could pave the way for broader talks to end the fighting and reduce regional tensions.
Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
