Israeli Airstrike Kills Six Palestinians in Gaza as Trump Peace Plan Stalls

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City killed at least six Palestinians and wounded 14 others on Tuesday, according to local health officials, as efforts to advance U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan remained stalled.

Gaza medics said an Israeli aircraft fired two missiles at a small cafe near the fishing harbour in western Gaza City. The seaport has become a major displacement camp for Palestinian families since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Hamas said a child was among those killed.

The Israeli military said the Gaza airstrike targeted Hamas commanders and other militants who were allegedly planning attacks against Israeli forces. It added that one of those targeted had participated in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The military did not provide evidence supporting its claims.

Hamas accused Israel of attempting to undermine Trump’s Gaza ceasefire and peace initiative but said it remained committed to the agreement. The group did not confirm whether any Hamas commanders or militants were killed.

The strike came a day after Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and envoy, left Jerusalem without securing a breakthrough following talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Kushner had also met mediators and Hamas leaders in Egypt to discuss implementing Trump’s roadmap for ending the Gaza war.

A key obstacle remains disagreement over the sequence of Hamas disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Trump’s roadmap calls for Hamas to gradually decommission its weapons as Israeli forces pull out and halt military operations.

Netanyahu, however, has insisted Israeli troops will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed. Hamas maintains that Israel must first respect the ceasefire and remove its forces from Gaza.

An official from Trump’s Board of Peace said Israel retains the right to self-defence and that no military redeployment would occur before Hamas disarms.

Since the October ceasefire, more than 1,200 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza, according to Gazan health officials and the Israeli military.