Israel has launched a massive bombardment of Gaza just hours after US President Donald Trump announced on October 9 that Israel and Hamas had signed the first phase of a peace agreement aimed at ending the two-year conflict.
The renewed airstrikes were reported across multiple locations in Gaza on Thursday night, despite earlier optimism that the deal would mark a significant de-escalation.
The sudden offensive has raised uncertainty over the implementation of the peace accord and sparked concerns of renewed hostilities in the region.
Trump Announces “Strong and Durable Peace”
Earlier in the day, President Trump revealed that both sides had agreed to a framework involving the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops.
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump said in his official statement.
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“This means that all of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed-upon line as the first steps toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace.”
The US President praised the diplomatic efforts of mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey who facilitated the negotiations, describing the accord as a major step toward stability in the Middle East.
Regional Reactions and Mediation Efforts
Trump expressed optimism that the deal could pave the way for broader reconciliation efforts in the Arab world.
“This is a great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, all surrounding nations, and the United States of America,” he said, adding, “Blessed are the peacemakers!”
However, the Israeli bombardment that followed has drawn mixed reactions internationally.
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Some regional observers described the airstrikes as a setback to the peace process, while others interpreted them as a defensive measure in response to renewed rocket fire from Gaza militants.
Uncertain Future for the Peace Plan
The sudden escalation has cast doubt over whether the agreement can be sustained.
The peace plan’s first phase focused on prisoner exchanges and troop withdrawals, was intended to build trust between the two sides and lay the groundwork for long-term negotiations.
President Trump had indicated that he might travel to the region to support “ongoing discussions,” but the outbreak of new violence may complicate those plans.
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