The IDF intercepted nine boats from a pro-Palestinian flotilla attempting to reach the Gaza Strip with some 150 participants, most of them medical personnel. Israel's Foreign Ministry described the event as “another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade,” and said the passengers would be deported immediately.
The plan, formulated by a team associated with Blair's office and American-Israeli circles close to the Trump administration, proposes an international governmental framework that would operate in Gaza for 3 to 5 years, until control is transferred to a "reformed" Palestinian authority.
President Trump warned that Hamas faces “total annihilation” if it refuses to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip, as efforts continue to advance his ceasefire plan. Trump said Israel had temporarily stopped its airstrikes in Gaza, calling the move “a critical step” toward reaching an agreement.
Netanyahu tells bereaved families that "if the hostages are not released by the deadline that President Donald Trump set – Israel will return to fighting with the full support of all the involved countries." PM vows that "PA will not govern Gaza the day after," and that "Israel will be responsible for the demilitarization of weapons in the Strip."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hits back at Greta Thunberg, noting that allegations of insufficient food, water, and bedbug-related rashes are "crude lies." National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says he is "proud" of terrorist-level detention.
A senior Israeli official said Israel will continue a policy of preempting threats from Gaza even after Israeli forces withdraw under President Trump's plan, and asserted that about 90 to 95 percent of Hamas's infrastructure has been destroyed.
Legal counsel Sena Eliküčük claims Israel mistreating flotilla detainees, may escalate case to world tribunal. Israel dismisses claims that Thunberg had to kiss flag, crawl. "Greta did not complain to the Israeli authorities about any of these ludicrous and baseless allegations – because they never occurred," Foreign Ministry says.
According to the president, once the terrorist organization approves the proposal, the ceasefire will take effect immediately, as will the release of the hostages. He added that further stages would follow, leading to what he described as the end of a “3,000 year catastrophe.”
IDF troops have been ordered to avoid any unusual operations and focus on defending their positions, with instructions to strike only in response to an immediate and identifiable threats. Israeli officials believe that Hamas is attempting to gain leverage in negotiations by offering evasive responses, while also recognizing that these are particularly sensitive days.
Decision-makers in Jerusalem believed that Hamas intended to use Trump’s proposal as a starting point for negotiations, without backing down from its long-standing demands. However, Trump’s congratulatory statement to Hamas for accepting the framework cemented a new reality and effectively cornered Israel.