Trump's Gaza Peace Plan Stalls Amid New Violence

A fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza is under severe pressure as fresh violence erupts, stalling a 20-point peace plan championed by President Donald Trump. Israeli fire has killed five Palestinians, including two boys, according to local health officials, highlighting the repeated violations that have plagued the truce since it began in October.

The agreement, intended to de-escalate a two-year war that has devastated the region, is struggling to move beyond its initial phase.

October Ceasefire Under Strain as Casualties Mount

In central Gaza, Palestinian medics reported that Israeli tank shelling east of Deir Al-Balah resulted in the deaths of three people, one of whom was a 10-year-old boy. Two other Palestinians, a 13-year-old boy and a woman, were killed in separate shooting incidents in eastern Khan Younis, located in the southern part of the enclave.

The conflict has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with civilians bearing the brunt of ongoing violence.

Local residents stated these incidents occurred in areas controlled by Palestinians. While the ceasefire involved a partial Israeli military withdrawal, Israeli forces still hold approximately 53% of Gaza and have been gradually expanding their presence, leading to further displacement of Palestinian families.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli military announced its forces had killed a "terrorist" who posed an imminent threat after crossing into an area under their control.

U.S.-Brokered Peace Deal Hits a Wall

The October deal has not progressed past its first stage, which involved a cessation of major fighting, a partial Israeli pullback, and an exchange of Hamas-held hostages for Palestinian detainees and prisoners.

Israeli forces maintain a significant military presence in parts of Gaza, a key issue in the stalled peace negotiations.

Future phases of the plan remain stalled, with no timetable set for their implementation. These steps are supposed to include:

• The disarmament of Hamas.

• A further withdrawal of Israeli forces.

• The installation of an internationally supported administration to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza.

On Thursday, President Trump is scheduled to preside over a ceremony for the Board of Peace, a group he established with the stated aim of redeveloping the coastal territory.

Disputes Over Hostages and Disarmament

Progress is deadlocked over key disagreements. Israel insists it will only proceed to the second phase after Hamas returns the remains of the last Israeli hostage.

In response, Hamas Gaza spokesperson Hazem Qassem said on Wednesday that the group has shared all available information about the body and that its search efforts were unsuccessful, blaming what he termed obstruction by the Israeli military.

Since the ceasefire took effect, more than 460 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been reported killed in clashes. The wider conflict began after a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli data. Israel's subsequent air and ground assault has killed 71,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health authorities.