Israeli strikes on Gaza continue as ceasefire collapses
Israel has rejected a new US-brokered ceasefire and ramped up strikes on Gaza, a grim turn for Palestinian civilians who briefly believed the fighting was over.
- Trump announced a deal where Hamas would disarm if Israel withdrew, but Israel refused and escalated instead.
- Fresh air strikes killed at least six people over the weekend, including a groom preparing his wedding tent, a child, and a pregnant mother and her family.
- Netanyahu says Israel will not pull back an inch and now controls close to 70% of Gaza, far past the 53% it was supposed to hold.
- The sticking point is trust: Israel wants Hamas to give up all weapons first, while Hamas wants a step-by-step swap of disarmament for withdrawal.
- More than 1,250 Palestinians, including over 300 children, have been killed since last year's ceasefire, which was violated almost daily.
Outlook: With Israel refusing to withdraw and Hamas refusing to fully disarm upfront, a lasting ceasefire looks unlikely and strikes are expected to continue.