Gaza Deaths: Israel Kills 12 Palestinians Despite Ceasefire | Trump Peace Plan
- Israeli forces have killed at least 12 Palestinians in strikes across Gaza since Sunday, despite a ceasefire agreement brokered in October.
- The latest fatality occurred on Monday, with reports of a Palestinian killed by Israeli shelling in the Shujaiya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.
- The continued Israeli military operations are occurring alongside preparations for the inaugural meeting of Trump’s “Board of Peace” on Thursday.
Israeli forces have killed at least 12 Palestinians in strikes across Gaza since Sunday, despite a ceasefire agreement brokered in October. The escalating violence comes as US President Donald Trump prepares to launch his “Board of Peace” initiative, promising billions in reconstruction aid for the besieged enclave.
The latest fatality occurred on Monday, with reports of a Palestinian killed by Israeli shelling in the Shujaiya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City. This follows a series of attacks on Sunday targeting central and southern Gaza, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed since the ceasefire began on to 603, with a further 1,607 wounded.
The continued Israeli military operations are occurring alongside preparations for the inaugural meeting of Trump’s “Board of Peace” on . The US President announced on Sunday that the foreign-led panel overseeing Gaza’s administration and reconstruction is set to unveil $5 billion in reconstruction pledges at a meeting in Washington. “The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History, and We see my honor to serve as its Chairman,” Trump stated in a post on Truth Social, without specifying which countries have committed the funding.
Indonesia has emerged as the first nation to firmly commit military personnel to an International Stabilisation Force, pledging up to 8,000 troops potentially deployable by the end of June. This commitment, however, highlights broader hesitancy among states regarding the force’s mandate. Concerns remain, particularly among US allies like Egypt, over whether Hamas will be forcibly disarmed, a condition some believe is unrealistic given the group’s continued control of weaponry despite the ceasefire.
The situation underscores the fragile nature of the current truce. Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir warned on that Israel “is not giving up” on its objective to “completely demilitarise Gaza and disarm Hamas of all its weapons.” Zamir reportedly told troops in Gaza, “We are prepared to move from defence to offence,” signalling a willingness to escalate operations if necessary.
Israel, a member of Trump’s Peace Board, continues to threaten escalation and maintains direct military control over more than 50 percent of the Gaza Strip. This dual role – participant in a peace initiative while simultaneously conducting military operations – raises questions about the viability of the US-led effort.
Analysts warn that the sustained Israeli military presence within Gaza could lead to a pattern of intermittent strikes resulting in Palestinian casualties, falling short of all-out war but effectively preventing any genuine resolution to the conflict. This raises the prospect of a prolonged period of instability and continued loss of life.
The ongoing violence also casts a shadow over the logistical challenges facing the proposed reconstruction effort. While Trump’s pledge of $5 billion represents a significant commitment, the ability to effectively implement reconstruction projects will be severely hampered by the continued security situation and the potential for further escalation. Access to affected areas remains difficult, with emergency teams reportedly struggling to reach targeted locations due to the intensity of Israeli bombardment, according to reports from the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
The US-brokered ceasefire, which came into effect in , has been repeatedly violated by Israel, with over 1,500 breaches recorded since its implementation, according to reports. The latest deaths add to a growing toll, with over 72,061 Palestinians killed and 171,715 wounded since the beginning of the conflict in .
The international community is watching closely to see whether Trump’s “Board of Peace” can deliver on its promises of stability and reconstruction, or whether the ongoing violence will undermine any prospect of a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The commitment of troops from Indonesia represents a potential turning point, but the success of the stabilisation force will depend on a broader commitment from international actors and a willingness from all parties to adhere to the terms of the ceasefire.