Gaza peace plan yet to materialize amid continued Israeli bombing

The world is watching with anticipation as efforts to end the Gaza war gather pace under a plan championed by the U.S. President Donald Trump. Yet, even as talks progress, Israeli airstrikes continue to hit Gaza, killing dozens and casting doubt over an imminent ceasefire.

On Saturday, heavy bombardment killed at least 36 people, including children, according to local officials. The strikes came hours after Trump urged Israel to halt its campaign, saying Hamas was “ready for peace.”

A White House official said Trump is sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Egypt to finalize the technical details of a ceasefire and hostage exchange. In a Truth Social post, Trump declared, “After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas. When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, which will bring us close to the end of this 3,000 YEAR CATASTROPHE.”

At a Florida rally, he added: “The time has come to stop the bombing.” His comments drew cautious optimism, though Israel said it would continue targeting “Hamas command centers and rocket launch sites” until all hostages were freed.

Hamas officials said they had “already accepted” a ceasefire framework proposed by Egyptian mediators. “We are ready for peace and for an exchange that ends the suffering of our people,” a Hamas spokesperson said.

Diplomats say the plan envisions a phased Israeli withdrawal, starting with the agreed “initial line,” followed by a hostage-prisoner exchange and further pullbacks. But the process is stalled in Cairo, with Hamas yet to formally confirm acceptance. Israel has indicated it will not ease its offensive until it sees verifiable compliance.

The U.S. said it is “actively coordinating with Egypt and Qatar” to push the deal forward — Washington’s most direct engagement since Trump took office. For Gazans, weary after months of war, the promise of peace remains fragile. “People are desperate for quiet,” said one resident, “but until the bombs stop, no one will believe the war is truly ending.”