Donald Trump's renewed push for a Gaza peace deal is colliding with the reality on the ground, as Palestinians describe intensifying violence despite the US president's claims that a breakthrough is within reach.

The contrast was laid bare after one of the deadliest days since last year's ceasefire, with Gaza health authorities reporting 18 people killed in Israeli strikes as negotiations over disarmament and troop withdrawals remain deadlocked.

Peace Plan Meets Battlefield Reality

Trump declared last week that implementation of the Gaza agreement reached last October had reached "a major milestone", saying Hamas would disarm while Israel would withdraw in stages.

But both sides remain divided over the sequence of those steps. Israel insists Hamas must first surrender its weapons and dismantle its tunnel network, while Hamas says Israeli military operations and troop deployments must end before it will move forward with any arrangement involving its arsenal.

Families Say Violence Has Intensified

Residents across Gaza told Reuters they had seen little sign of progress towards peace. Aya Mohammad Zaki said air strikes hit locations across the territory at frequent intervals, leaving civilians feeling the war had effectively resumed.

Among those reported killed on Sunday were a couple and their child in Gaza City. The Israeli military said it had targeted military operatives during the strikes.

Territory Dispute Deepens Crisis

Israel says its forces now control between 60% and 70% of Gaza as operations continue to uncover and destroy Hamas tunnels. That represents an expansion beyond the territory held immediately after last year's ceasefire.

For many civilians, the shifting front lines have meant repeated displacement. Soumah Dawla said Israeli military boundary markers had moved closer to her home, leaving her family expecting to be forced to flee again after already being displaced multiple times during the conflict.

Negotiators Face Growing Pressure

Diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes, with envoy Nickolay Mladenov expected to hold talks with Israeli officials aimed at preserving the ceasefire framework. Israeli officials maintain military operations will continue against perceived threats, while Hamas continues to reject demands for immediate disarmament.

The gap between diplomacy and events on the ground remains stark. As negotiators seek to revive the ceasefire agreement, civilians continue to bear the cost of a conflict that shows few signs of easing despite renewed political momentum.

After deadly day, Gazans say Trump's touting of plan jars with grim reality

Must be terrible living in Gaza , so pleased that I don't have to live there