KUALA LUMPUR — Israel continued pounding Gaza City overnight with dozens of air strikes and artillery fire, despite an appeal by United States President Donald Trump to halt the bombardment after Hamas signalled acceptance of a ceasefire deal, according to foreign reports.
Gaza’s civil defence agency, which operates under Hamas authority, said 20 homes were destroyed in the overnight attacks.
“It was a very violent night, during which the (Israeli army) carried out dozens of air strikes and artillery shelling on Gaza City and other areas in the Strip, despite President Trump’s call to halt the bombing,” civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal was quoted as saying.
He warned that the situation in Gaza City was “very serious”, adding that rescue teams were unable to reach all casualties because of “the presence of tanks and the ongoing bombardment.”
Gaza City’s Baptist Hospital confirmed it received casualties from a strike on a home in the Tuffah neighbourhood, reporting four dead and several wounded.
Further south, Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis said two children were killed and eight others wounded when a drone strike hit a tent sheltering displaced families.
When contacted, the Israeli military said it was still “checking” reports of the overnight bombardments.
The escalation came just days after Trump unveiled a peace plan for Gaza, endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours, Hamas’s disarmament, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the territory.
On Friday, Hamas said it was ready to release hostages under the Trump plan, but insisted on negotiations over the details and a role in determining Gaza’s future. — October 4, 2025