Israel kills five in Gaza as US unveils Hamas disarmament plan

Strikes rattled residential neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, a day after Washington announced a diplomatic initiative that calls for the disarmament of Hamas and a phased Israeli withdrawal from the enclave. The U.S. plan, presented by senior officials in a briefing in Washington, outlined a sequence of steps that would include the release of hostages, the dismantling of militant infrastructure, and the establishment of an internationally monitored security framework before any Israeli forces pull back. The proposal, which has been discussed with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, aims to create conditions for a durable cease‑fire and a political transition in Gaza.

Air raids targeted several apartment blocks in northern Gaza, killing at least eight civilians and injuring dozens more, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israeli military spokespeople said the strikes were a response to rocket fire launched from the area following the U.S. announcement, while the Palestinian Authority condemned the attacks as collective punishment. The United Nations called for an immediate halt to the violence and urged all parties to allow humanitarian aid to reach affected families. As diplomatic talks continue, the latest round of hostilities underscores the fragility of the cease‑fire and the challenges facing the proposed disarmament and withdrawal framework.