On Monday, August 3, 2026, Palestinians in Gaza criticized United States President Donald Trump's recent declaration of a "major milestone" in the Gaza peace plan, describing it as disconnected from their worsening reality. Trump had announced that Hamas would disarm and Israel would withdraw in phases, based on an agreement reached in October 2025.

However, the situation on the ground remains dire. Gaza is still devastated from the Israeli offensive launched in retaliation for Hamas' attacks on October 7, 2023. Israeli troops have occupied and depopulated two-thirds of the Gaza Strip, confining over 2 million residents to a small coastal area, many living in makeshift tents or damaged buildings.

Aya Mohammad Zaki, 32, told Reuters, "It was as if the war has resumed, there was an attack every one hour or less, and the planes struck places across the Gaza Strip, north, central and south, everywhere."

The Israeli military stated it targeted military operatives in these strikes. Meanwhile, complications have emerged regarding the peace plan's implementation. Israel's defense minister said Israeli troops would not move before Hamas disarms and its tunnels are destroyed. Conversely, Hamas demands Israel halt attacks before it begins disarming.

Soumah Dawla, 60, reported that the Israeli-held zone had recently expanded closer to her home, marked by yellow bricks moved by Israeli forces. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on July 20 that 30 families were forced to leave an area near the yellow line in eastern Gaza city due to an Israeli displacement order.

Palestinians expressed deep frustration, with some saying, "We are waiting for displacement at any moment ... Our entire life is gone, our entire future is gone, our children's future is gone," and demanding, "We want them to implement the agreements they talked about. We don't want talk, we want action."

The deadliest day since last year's ceasefire saw 18 people killed in Israeli attacks, further dimming hopes for progress.

Sources