Israel strikes Gaza again after Trump calls for halt to bombing, killing 6 people

Israel struck Gaza on October 4, killing six people, after US President Donald Trump called for an immediate halt to the bombardment and said Hamas had shown readiness for peace.

Local authorities said that one strike in Gaza City killed four people in a house, while another in Khan Younis in the south killed two others, Caliber.Az reports per Arab media.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said early on October 4 that Israel was preparing for an "immediate implementation" of the first stage of Trump's Gaza plan, aimed at the release of Israeli hostages following Hamas’ response. Shortly after, Israeli media reported that the country's political echelon had instructed the military to reduce offensive activity in Gaza.

The Israeli military chief of staff instructed forces in a statement to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of Trump’s plan.

Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls Gaza, responded to Trump's 20-point plan after the US president had given the group until Sunday to accept or face grave consequences. Trump said on October 3 he believed Hamas had shown it was "ready for a lasting PEACE" and placed responsibility on Netanyahu's government, writing on Truth Social: "Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!"

"We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East," Trump added.

Netanyahu's office said Israel "will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles set out by Israel, which align with President Trump's vision."

The conflict traces back to October 2023, when a Hamas-led attack on Israel left some 1,200 people dead and 251 taken as hostages to Gaza. Israel says 48 hostages remain, 20 of whom are alive.

Since the start of its military campaign, Israel has killed more than 66,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. The assault has devastated much of the territory, and restrictions on aid have triggered famine conditions in parts of the enclave.

By Sabina Mammadli