After nearly two years of devastating conflict, the war on Gaza appears to be approaching a potential turning point, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing late Saturday that he hopes to finalise a hostage deal "in the coming days" following Hamas's conditional acceptance of a peace framework proposed by President Donald Trump. Yet, even as diplomatic progress unfolds, the violence on ground tells a starkly different story, raising fundamental questions about Israel's commitment to peace.
Netanyahu dispatched a delegation to Egypt to finalise technical details, stating his goal is to contain these negotiations to a timeframe of just a few days. The choice of Egypt as the negotiation venue is strategic, given Cairo's historical role as a mediator between Israel and Palestinian factions. Netanyahu's announcement came hours after Hamas declared it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, provided "the field conditions for the exchange are met," and expressed willingness to negotiate through mediators on Trump's Middle East peace plan.
The Trump administration unveiled a comprehensive 20-point peace proposal earlier this week that has created unexpected momentum after months of stalled negotiations. The plan begins with an immediate ceasefire and proposes that Hamas release all hostages within 72 hours in exchange for a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, with the aim of achieving a permanent ceasefire.
The Gap Between Words and Actions
But while Netanyahu speaks of imminent peace, Israeli military operations paint a different picture. At least 70 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air strikes on Saturday, including seven children between the ages of two months and eight years old. The strikes came after President Trump urged Israel to "immediately stop bombing." According to the Gaza Government Media Office, the IDF carried out 93 airstrikes within 24 hours. The Israeli forces, on the other hand, claim they proceeded with the attacks because it was a "dangerous combat zone."
This pattern of continuing violence despite ceasefire announcements has become disturbingly familiar. Netanyahu ordered a halt to operations to occupy Gaza City and suspended airstrikes to implement the first phase of Trump's plan. Yet the bombardment continued unabated, with no respite for Palestinians who were forced to flee Gaza City for safety.
The disconnect extends beyond the current moment. Israeli's track record during previous ceasefire attempts has eroded Palestinian trust in such assurances. The January 2025 ceasefire, which was meant to bring relief, was repeatedly violated. Historical precedent suggests a troubling pattern: diplomatic overtures accompanied by military actions that contradict stated peaceful intentions.
Significant structural obstacles remain even if both sides demonstrate genuine commitment. While both parties have expressed willingness to move forward, key differences persist regarding how Israel's military would withdraw from Gaza. Netanyahu has already signalled a red line, indicating there would not be a full Israeli withdrawal from the territory, something Hamas has long demanded as a precondition for any lasting peace.
A Crisis of Trust
The continuing strikes, even as peace talks advance, underscore a fundamental crisis of credibility. For Palestinians watching their neighborhoods demolished and family members killed while hearing promises of ceasefire, the gap between rhetoric and reality could not be wider. The international community, including the United States, faces difficult questions about how to ensure that ceasefire commitments translate into actual cessation of hostilities.
The rapid diplomatic developments represent the most promising signs of progress since the brief ceasefire in January 2025. Trump's personal involvement, including direct calls with Netanyahu, has added presidential pressure at a critical moment. But without mechanisms to ensure compliance and accountability, peace negotiations risk becoming merely diplomatic theater while the human toll continues to mount.
For the millions of Palestinians enduring catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza, the stakes could not be higher. The next few days will reveal whether this latest diplomatic push can overcome not just the deep-rooted divisions that have frustrated previous peace efforts, but also whether Israel can demonstrate through action rather than words that it is genuinely committed to ending the violence.
Until the bombing stops matching the promises, Palestinian skepticism remains tragically justified.
