Trump Gaza Peace Plan Faces Setback as Israeli Strikes Continue, Hamas Disarmament Dispute Deepens

U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for a Gaza peace agreement is facing growing challenges as fresh Israeli airstrikes and disagreements over Hamas’ disarmament continue to stall progress toward ending the war.

Trump recently described the agreement reached last week as a major step toward peace, outlining a phased plan in which Hamas would surrender its weapons while Israeli forces gradually withdraw from Gaza. However, both sides remain divided over the sequence of those commitments.

Israel has insisted that its military will not leave Gaza until Hamas fully disarms and its tunnel network is dismantled. Hamas, meanwhile, maintains that Israel must first halt military operations and begin withdrawing before any discussion of its weapons can move forward.

The U.S.-backed Board of Peace overseeing the ceasefire said its envoy, Nikolay Mladenov, held productive talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. The board reaffirmed that Gaza’s future depends on the complete removal of weapons and the transition to civilian governance, adding that Israeli troop withdrawals beyond the designated "yellow line" will only occur after Hamas fulfills its disarmament commitments.

Palestinian officials involved in the negotiations criticized the statement for emphasizing disarmament while making no mention of the ceasefire or the suspension of Israeli military operations, both of which they consider essential parts of the agreement.

Meanwhile, violence continues across Gaza. Palestinian health officials said Israeli strikes killed 18 people on Sunday, one of the deadliest days since the ceasefire, while another airstrike in Gaza City killed two more people on Monday. Israel said it targeted Hamas military operatives.

Residents described relentless bombardment and worsening humanitarian conditions, with many saying hopes raised by Trump's announcement have been replaced by renewed fear and displacement. Israel has expanded the territory under its military control to between 60% and 70% of Gaza, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz, forcing additional families to flee.

Mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey condemned the ongoing attacks, warning they violate the ceasefire agreement and threaten efforts to implement its next phase. Since the Trump-backed peace plan was announced in October, Gaza health authorities say at least 1,230 Palestinians have been killed, while Israeli authorities report four Israeli soldiers have died during the same period.