27 Palestinians Killed Amid Controversy Over Trump’s Peace Plan

At least 27 Palestinians lost their lives in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, as reported by local hospitals. This tragic event unfolded against the backdrop of renewed discussions concerning U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace proposal, which aims to halt the nearly two-year conflict in the region.

The violence prompted Hamas to announce its intention to review the peace plan, engaging with its members and other Palestinian factions prior to making a decision. While the proposal is framed as a pathway to peace, offering an end to hostilities and ensuring humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts, it requires Hamas to disarm and places Gaza, home to over 2 million people, under international control for the foreseeable future.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his support for the plan, which has garnered praise from several leaders in Arab nations. In contrast, many Palestinians within the war-torn enclave are expressing skepticism. Umm Mohammed, a history teacher in Gaza City, conveyed her concerns, stating, “They want to impose their own peace. In fact, this is not a peace plan. It’s a surrender plan. It returns us to times of colonialism.”

Others echoed similar sentiments. Mahmoud Abu Baker, a displaced Palestinian from Rafah, criticized the proposal for favoring Israeli demands without offering concessions to the Palestinian side. “(The proposal) tells that we, as Palestinians, as Arabs, are not qualified to rule ourselves,” he said. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, some Palestinians accused Trump and Netanyahu of attempting to resolve the conflict without considering the perspectives of those directly affected in Gaza.

“It’s turned into a joke,” said Mohammad Shahin, a resident of Nablus. “They acted like they own the whole world, deciding, analyzing, and dividing things however they want.”

Israeli citizens also voiced their doubts about the potential effectiveness of the peace proposal. At a memorial for the music festival where 364 people were killed during a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, attendees expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of the proposal leading to a halt in hostilities. Amit Zander, whose daughter was among the casualties, emphasized that Trump may hold the key to any successful resolution. “Everyone pins their hopes on (Trump) … it’s up to Hamas,” he remarked. “I think it’s all up in the air.”

The situation in Gaza remains dire. On Tuesday morning, local hospitals reported that 17 Palestinians were killed in Netzarim while attempting to access humanitarian aid, with an additional 10 fatalities resulting from Israeli strikes on tents in Muwasi. Those killed included individuals who had previously fled to what was considered a safe zone. The ongoing conflict has led to catastrophic consequences, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting a staggering death toll that has surpassed 66,000 since the onset of the war.

Gaza’s Health Ministry has indicated that nearly 170,000 people have been injured during the conflict. Although the ministry, operated by the Hamas-run administration, does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its figures, it reports that women and children constitute approximately half of the deceased. These statistics are regarded as credible by the United Nations and many independent observers.

In the midst of this devastation, Israel maintains that Hamas has been using civilian areas to hide military infrastructure, further complicating the humanitarian crisis. With around 90% of the population displaced and experts warning of famine conditions in Gaza City, the international community is faced with urgent calls for intervention.

As the conflict continues, the implications of Trump’s peace proposal remain uncertain, with both sides grappling with the complexities of reaching a viable resolution.