Israel strikes kill 6 in Gaza despite Trump’s call to halt bombardment

In a jarring turn of events, Israeli airstrikes killed six people in Gaza on Oct 4, mere hours after US President Donald Trump urged that the bombing cease amid a fragile peace prospect.

One strike in Gaza City reportedly killed four individuals, while another in Khan Younis in southern Gaza claimed two lives, according to local authorities and medical sources.

Earlier, President Trump had publicly called for Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly.”

He based this on an announcement from Hamas indicating its willingness to engage with the US-led peace proposal.

Under the peace framework, Hamas has agreed to release Israeli hostages (both living and dead) and to cede control of Gaza to technocratic governance.

However, the group has not fully accepted all conditions, especially those concerning governance, disarmament, and Israel’s phased withdrawal.

Despite Trump’s call to halt bombings, Israeli military operations persisted. According to Gaza’s health ministry, in the past 24 hours alone, at least 66 Palestinians have been killed amid ongoing strikes and clashes.

In response to the hostilities and diplomatic shift, Israel’s military has reportedly begun preparations for the first phase of the Trump-proposed peace plan, which centres on hostage release.

Meanwhile, political leadership in Israel instructed the military to reduce offensive operations in Gaza, though details on how or when remained vague.

The current conflict between Israel and Hamas dates back to the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas militants on Israeli territory, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages were taken.

Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has reportedly killed more than 66,000 people, most of them civilians, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

Humanitarian conditions in Gaza have deteriorated sharply, with displacement, infrastructure destruction, restricted access to essential services, and rising desperation among the population. The enclave has faced severe destruction and resource shortages amid the ongoing blockade and strikes.

On the diplomatic front, countries and international actors have expressed cautious optimism over Trump’s peace plan. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly welcomed Trump’s initiative, calling it a “significant step forward.”

But the plan’s future hinges on whether Hamas fully accepts key terms—particularly its disarmament and relinquishing governance—and whether Israel is willing to adhere to phased withdrawal and constraints on military operations.

As both sides appear to be holding to their red lines, the tenuous peace process could either mark a turning point or unravel further into renewed conflict.