Fighting continued in parts of Gaza even as US President Donald Trump has ordered Israel to stop bombing the Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The IDF reported several airstrikes carried out in response to planned Hamas attacks , a day after halting its ground operation in Gaza City.
The pause came amid US President Donald Trump’s effort to end the conflict, with Israeli troops told to conduct only defensive missions.
"Forces from Division 98 eliminated several terrorist cells that were advancing terror plans against the forces in the Gaza City area," IDF said in a post on X, while sharing a video.
According to the IDF, fighter jets struck a group of armed men carrying mortars and explosives who, it said, "had planned to carry out terror attacks against troops operating in Gaza City." The strike killed the group, the Israeli army said.
In another incident, a cell that had been firing mortars at Israeli soldiers was hit by airstrikes. One soldier was lightly wounded and taken to a hospital. "The soldier’s family was notified," the Israeli army said.
A third airstrike targeted a building from which Hamas operatives fired rocket-propelled grenades at engineering vehicles used by the 98th Division. No injuries were reported.
Also read: Gaza peace plan: Trump pushes Hamas and Israel to act fast, but key issues linger — What is the deadlock over?
The developments came as Israel and Hamas prepared for indirect talks in Egypt on Monday. The negotiations, to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, are expected to focus on a potential ceasefire and an exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a hostage release could be announced this week, raising hopes for progress. Tuesday will mark two years since the Hamas attack that triggered the war.
Trump welcomed Hamas’s statement accepting parts of the American peace plan. Israel has also expressed support for the US initiative. Under the plan, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — around 20 of whom are believed to be alive — within three days, and would disarm and give up power.
Netanyahu’s office said Israel’s delegation, led by top negotiator Ron Dermer, will leave for Egypt on Monday. An Egyptian official confirmed that the Hamas team had already arrived, news agency AP reported.
“Talks will focus on the proposed exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel,” Egypt’s foreign ministry said.
Also read: Donald Trump urges all sides to ‘move fast’; warns of ‘massive bloodshed’
Trump has ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza, but residents and hospitals said airstrikes continued in several areas.
Israeli government spokeswoman Badrosian said, “Certain bombings have actually stopped inside of the Gaza Strip.”
The pause came amid US President Donald Trump’s effort to end the conflict, with Israeli troops told to conduct only defensive missions.
"Forces from Division 98 eliminated several terrorist cells that were advancing terror plans against the forces in the Gaza City area," IDF said in a post on X, while sharing a video.
According to the IDF, fighter jets struck a group of armed men carrying mortars and explosives who, it said, "had planned to carry out terror attacks against troops operating in Gaza City." The strike killed the group, the Israeli army said.
בסגירת מעגל מהירה: כוחות אוגדה 98 חיסלו מספר חוליות מחבלים אשר קידמו מתווי טרור נגד הכוחות במרחב העיר עזה
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 6, 2025
אתמול, מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר בהכוונת פיקוד הדרום ושב"כ, תקפו וחיסלו חוליית מחבלים חמושה במטענים ומרגמות. החולייה שחוסלה תכננה לבצע מתווי טרור נגד כוחות צה״ל הפועלים במרחב… pic.twitter.com/sx6nbQdmKa
In another incident, a cell that had been firing mortars at Israeli soldiers was hit by airstrikes. One soldier was lightly wounded and taken to a hospital. "The soldier’s family was notified," the Israeli army said.
A third airstrike targeted a building from which Hamas operatives fired rocket-propelled grenades at engineering vehicles used by the 98th Division. No injuries were reported.
Also read: Gaza peace plan: Trump pushes Hamas and Israel to act fast, but key issues linger — What is the deadlock over?
The developments came as Israel and Hamas prepared for indirect talks in Egypt on Monday. The negotiations, to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, are expected to focus on a potential ceasefire and an exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a hostage release could be announced this week, raising hopes for progress. Tuesday will mark two years since the Hamas attack that triggered the war.
Trump welcomed Hamas’s statement accepting parts of the American peace plan. Israel has also expressed support for the US initiative. Under the plan, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — around 20 of whom are believed to be alive — within three days, and would disarm and give up power.
Netanyahu’s office said Israel’s delegation, led by top negotiator Ron Dermer, will leave for Egypt on Monday. An Egyptian official confirmed that the Hamas team had already arrived, news agency AP reported.
“Talks will focus on the proposed exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel,” Egypt’s foreign ministry said.
Also read: Donald Trump urges all sides to ‘move fast’; warns of ‘massive bloodshed’
Trump has ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza, but residents and hospitals said airstrikes continued in several areas.
Israeli government spokeswoman Badrosian said, “Certain bombings have actually stopped inside of the Gaza Strip.”
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