At least 20 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire as Hamas signaled readiness for peace talks.
Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 people in Gaza over the past 12 hours, local health authorities said on Saturday, even as U.S. President Donald Trump called for an immediate halt to the bombings.
The strikes came shortly after Trump unveiled a 20-point ceasefire plan, which Hamas responded to by agreeing to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, and signaling readiness to negotiate through mediators.
“Hamas was ready for a lasting PEACE,” Trump declared Friday, urging Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel was preparing to implement the first phase of the plan to secure the release of hostages.
Despite this, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it continued operations around Gaza City, warning that any return posed “a significant risk.” Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported 66 deaths and more than 250 injuries in the past 24 hours, bringing the enclave’s total death toll above 67,000.
The ministry also confirmed two child deaths from malnutrition, raising famine-related fatalities to 459, including 154 children.
Trump warned Hamas to act swiftly, saying on Truth Social: “Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!”