Israeli forces have significantly escalated military operations in the Gaza Strip since the announcement of a second phase of a "ceasefire" roadmap last week, despite United States President Donald Trump heralding Hamas's acceptance of the deal as a major step towards peace.

The reality on the ground in Gaza starkly contrasts with the diplomatic optimism expressed by Washington. On Saturday alone, Israeli attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 19 Palestinians, bringing the weekend's total to 26 fatalities, including women and children. This surge in violence occurs even as Hamas has agreed to a phased disarmament process.

Despite Hamas's formal acceptance of the 15-point roadmap, announced by the Board of Peace and the International Stabilization Force (ISF), Israel's government has cited "serious security concerns." Strong resistance to the deal has also emerged from within Israeli political circles. The continued bombardment of Gaza, which represents a breach of the "ceasefire" agreement from October, is likely to jeopardize Trump's peace initiative and worsen the already critical humanitarian crisis for Palestinians in the enclave.

Eyad al-Qarra, a Palestinian political analyst in Gaza, warned that Hamas and other Palestinian groups might be taking an "uncalculated risk." He expressed concern that if factions do not proceed cautiously, Israel could exploit the situation to initiate a wider conflict. Al-Qarra emphasized the importance for factions to avoid providing Israel with any pretext to portray both sides as equally responsible for a potential failure of the peace process.

Instead of embracing the roadmap, the Israeli government has reportedly imposed stringent new conditions. Israeli media have indicated that the government is demanding the complete disarmament of Hamas and the handover of weapons to a Western state, explicitly excluding any Palestinian entity from managing the disarmament process. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that Israeli forces would not withdraw until Hamas is fully demilitarized, further complicating the prospects for the US-backed plan.

The intensified Israeli bombardment raises significant questions about the viability of the Trump administration's peace efforts. The discrepancy between the diplomatic pronouncements and the ongoing military actions highlights the deep-seated challenges and mistrust that continue to plague the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza, already described as dire, is expected to deteriorate further with the sustained military activity. Access to essential services, including food, water, and medical care, is severely limited, and civilian casualties are mounting.

As the situation unfolds, international observers are closely watching to see if diplomatic channels can be reopened or if the current escalation will lead to a more protracted and devastating conflict, potentially undermining regional stability and further diminishing hopes for a lasting peace agreement.