After deadly day, Gazans say Trump's touting of plan jars with grim reality

CAIRO: Palestinians in Gaza said on Monday (Aug 3) that United States President Donald Trump's touting of a deal aimed at disarming Hamas and ending the war was out of touch with their worsening reality, after Israel killed 18 people in one of the deadliest days since a ceasefire last year.

The US president on Thursday declared "a major milestone" towards implementing the Gaza peace plan agreed last October, saying that Hamas would disarm and Israel would withdraw in phases.

But complications have swiftly emerged: Israel's defence minister said on Sunday that Israeli troops in Gaza would not move before Hamas disarms and its tunnels are destroyed, while Hamas insists Israel halt attacks before it begins implementing the part of the agreement dealing with its arms.

On the ground in Gaza, still in ruins as a result of the Israeli offensive launched in retaliation for Hamas' Oct 7, 2023, attacks, Palestinians say intensifying Israeli strikes in recent days have shattered any hope of progress.

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