At Least 13 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza After Hamas Agrees to Disarmament Deal

The latest round of Israeli strikes on Gaza has left at least 13 people dead, including several children. The violence raises urgent questions about the sincerity of Israel’s commitment to a “disarmament” deal with Hamas.

Just days ago, Hamas agreed to hand over its weapons to the US-backed Board of Peace, a move hailed as a breakthrough by President Trump. However, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen poured cold water on any hopes for a lasting ceasefire, stating that no deal had been reached to stop attacks on Gaza.

Cohen’s comments suggest that Israel sees the disarmament plan as a mere prelude to its own long-term occupation of the territory. His call for full Israeli control over Gaza undermines the Board of Peace’s plans for Israel to withdraw from the territory and underscores the cynical nature of this “deal”.

The Board of Peace plan is riddled with ambiguities and contradictions. For instance, it is unclear how Hamas will hand over its heavy weapons to a yet-to-be-established Palestinian National Committee. What guarantee can be offered that these weapons won’t simply be reacquired by Hamas once the international spotlight has moved on?

The roadmap’s emphasis on inventorying and storing military hardware rather than dismantling it altogether suggests that Israel is more interested in maintaining control over Gaza’s military infrastructure than achieving genuine disarmament.

Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with over 1,100 Palestinians killed since the supposed ceasefire came into effect last October. Israeli forces have destroyed buildings and infrastructure, generating an estimated 60 million tonnes of debris. This has cast a shadow over any hopes for reconstruction or peace.

Despite these stark realities, Israel remains intransigent, unwilling to make concessions that would genuinely address Gaza’s residents’ grievances. The silence from Washington on this issue is deafening, particularly given President Trump’s administration’s long history of supporting Israeli expansionism.

President Trump’s endorsement of the Board of Peace plan rings hollow, especially considering his administration’s record on Israel. The question now is whether the international community will allow itself to be fooled by Israel’s duplicitous tactics or demand genuine progress towards peace and disarmament.

The road ahead looks treacherous, with Israel refusing to budge on its occupation of Gaza and Hamas struggling to assert its authority over a territory wracked by internal divisions. As the situation spirals out of control, one thing is clear: the so-called “disarmament” deal in Gaza is nothing more than a hollow promise designed to mask Israel’s continued dominance over this besieged people.

The 20-point plan unveiled last September was touted as a comprehensive solution to the conflict. However, its implementation has been marred by delays and disputes between Israel and Hamas. The creation of the Board of Peace was meant to oversee the agreement’s implementation, but so far, it remains a distant promise.

Hamas is now grappling with its own role in this “deal”, raising questions about the pros and cons of accepting disarmament. While some see it as a necessary step towards peace, others argue that it would only serve to undermine Hamas’ authority and expose its members to Israeli reprisals.

Israel’s actions in Gaza form part of a larger pattern of deception and manipulation, where promises are made and broken with impunity. The destruction of buildings and infrastructure is merely the latest chapter in this saga, one that has left Gaza on the brink of collapse.

Without genuine international pressure and a willingness to challenge Israeli expansionism, the prospects for peace remain bleak. The people of Gaza deserve better than to be held hostage by conflicting interests and competing agendas.