The Gaza Strip remains a tinderbox of violence and fragile hope as Israeli airstrikes claimed dozens of lives on October 4, even as U.S. President Donald Trump pushed for an immediate halt to bombing following Hamas’s conditional acceptance of his 20-point peace plan. Local health officials reported at least 54 bodies brought to hospitals, including strikes on Gaza City neighborhoods like Tuffah, where civilians were killed amid ongoing operations. This escalation defies Trump’s directive on Truth Social, where he stated Israel had agreed to an “initial withdrawal line” and urged a ceasefire to become “IMMEDIATELY effective” upon Hamas confirmation, emphasizing the release of all hostages.
Hamas, holding around 48 Israeli hostages (with about 20 believed alive), responded positively to parts of the plan on October 3, agreeing to release all captives—living and dead—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but seeking further negotiations on Gaza’s future governance, a full Israeli withdrawal, and guarantees against renewed attacks. The group endorsed the proposal through mediators like Egypt and Qatar, with Palestinian Islamic Jihad also signaling support, raising cautious optimism among world leaders. Trump’s plan outlines an immediate ceasefire, staged Israeli redeployment while retaining strategic control, Hamas disarmament, and a transitional international-led government for Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the nation on October 4, struck a triumphant tone, stating Israel is “on the verge of a very great achievement” and expressing hope to announce the return of all hostages “in the coming days, even during the Sukkot holiday” (October 6-13). He outlined a two-phase approach: first, hostage release and IDF redeployment to maintain oversight in Gaza; second, Hamas disarmament “diplomatically through Trump’s plan or militarily by us.” Netanyahu’s office indicated preparations for “immediate implementation” of the first phase, with talks set to resume in Egypt on October 6, involving U.S. envoys like Jared Kushner.
Yet, challenges loom large. Israel’s far-right coalition faces internal pushback from figures like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who criticized any halt to operations, while Hamas leaders in Gaza, including military wing heads, have voiced objections to disarmament and loss of governance roles. The conflict, now nearly two years old since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took over 250 hostages, has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians—mostly civilians—displaced millions, and devastated Gaza’s infrastructure. Previous ceasefires in November 2023 and January 2025 were short-lived, fueling skepticism.
International reactions are mixed but hopeful. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties to seize the moment for a permanent ceasefire and hostage release, while Qatar and Egypt coordinate further talks. Protests worldwide, including in Europe and Tel Aviv, demand an end to the war and hostage returns. As delegations prepare for Cairo, the specter of continued strikes underscores the high stakes: a potential breakthrough toward lasting peace or another collapse into deepened humanitarian crisis.
Sources: Reporting draws from Reuters, The Washington Post, ABC News, Al Jazeera, NPR, NBC News, CNN, BBC, The Times of Israel, The New York Times, and posts on X.
