Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have led to the deaths of at least two Palestinians, marking a significant escalation during the third day of Ramadan. This incident occurred in the Jabalia refugee camp located in northern Gaza and the Qizan an-Najjar area in the southern part of the territory. The latest violence brings the total number of fatalities in Gaza since the implementation of a ‘ceasefire’ agreement four months ago to 614, with additional reports of 1,640 Palestinians suffering injuries, as reported by the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Israeli Military’s Acknowledgment of Action

The Israeli military has acknowledged one of the recent strikes, stating in a post on X that its forces targeted a fighter who reportedly crossed into Israeli territory from northern Gaza. This individual approached the Israeli troops in a manner that was perceived as an immediate threat. The military emphasized its commitment to neutralizing any threat to its security.

US President Donald Trump’s Peace Initiative

The airstrikes coincided with the first-ever meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, which focused on the future reconstruction, security, and governance of the war-torn Gaza Strip. During this meeting, Trump revealed that nine countries have collectively pledged $7 billion towards reconstruction efforts, in addition to a $10 billion commitment from the United States. However, these funds fall significantly short of the estimated $70 billion required to rebuild the region.

International Stabilization Force Proposal

Trump further announced that five nations have agreed to contribute troops as part of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), which is envisioned to eventually replace Hamas in maintaining security. Nevertheless, the complexity surrounding the disarmament of Hamas remains a critical issue, posing challenges to the progress of the plan.

Israeli Government’s Stance on Hamas Disarmament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has positioned the disarmament of Hamas as a prerequisite for any reconstruction efforts to commence. A senior aide to Netanyahu indicated that a 60-day deadline may be set for Hamas to comply before Israel would consider resuming military operations, a statement that Hamas has firmly rejected.

Hamas’s Response to Disarmament and Peacekeeping Proposals

Hamas has asserted that it will not agree to disarmament while Israeli forces occupy the region. The group has stated that any political discussions concerning Gaza should commence only after Israel ceases its aggressive actions. While Hamas has expressed openness to the idea of a peacekeeping contingent, this willingness comes with certain conditions. According to spokesperson Hazem Qassem, Hamas seeks forces that would monitor the ceasefire, ensure adherence to its terms, and act as a buffer between Palestinian residents and the Israeli military, without intervening in Gaza’s internal matters.

Future Governance Plans for Gaza

In addition to the proposed disarmament of Hamas, Trump’s agenda for Gaza entails a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli military and the incorporation of the ISF to oversee security matters. A transitional Palestinian technocratic committee would be tasked with managing daily governance in the region. The plan’s viability faces skepticism among many Palestinians, with ongoing violent incidents and persistent aid shortages leading to doubts about its effectiveness.

Local Perspectives on the Peace Plan

Palestinians have voiced significant concern regarding the potential success of Trump’s reconstruction plan. Awad al-Ghoul, a 70-year-old Palestinian who has been displaced from Tal as-Sultan in southern Rafah, stated that Israel’s repeated attacks and violations of the ceasefire agreement render the plan fruitless from the outset. His observations reflect a broader sentiment of disillusionment among Gazans regarding the prospects for lasting peace and stability in the region.

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