Two of US President Donald Trump’s envoys travelled to Israel on Monday to shore up the ceasefire in Gaza, a day after deadly violence gave the fragile deal its first major test.
The truce appeared on track as Israel received what Hamas said were the remains of another hostage in Gaza, and Israel allowed aid deliveries to resume to the devastated territory. United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric did not say how much aid was getting in.
Israel on Sunday had threatened to halt shipments of humanitarian aid, and its forces killed dozens of Palestinians in strikes across Gaza after accusing Hamas militants of killing two soldiers. Hamas has denied being responsible for the alleged attacks. Israel later said it resumed enforcing the ceasefire.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about developments in the region. US Vice President JD Vance and the second lady, Usha Vance, are scheduled to visit Tuesday and meet with Netanyahu, the prime minister said in a speech.
Governing Gaza, Ukraine, AI 'slop' and the dead internet theory
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Netanyahu also warned Hamas that any attacks against Israeli forces would be met with “a very heavy price”.
Asked about maintaining the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Trump said the US will give the situation a “little chance” in hopes that there will be less violence. He put the blame on Hamas and said the militant group must behave or face consequences.
“They have to be good, and if they’re not good they’ll be eradicated,” he said.
The US-proposed truce aimed at ending two years of war took effect on October 10.
On Sunday, Trump told reporters that Hamas had been "doing some shooting”. He also suggested that the violence might be the fault of “rebels” within the group.
Hamas security forces have returned to the streets in Gaza, clashing with armed groups and killing alleged gangsters in what the militant group says is an attempt to restore law and order in areas where Israeli troops have withdrawn.
Read moreAs Israeli forces withdraw after ceasefire, Hamas tightens its grip on the streets of Gaza
On Sunday, Israel’s military said militants had fired at troops in areas of Rafah city in southern Gaza that are Israeli-controlled according to agreed-upon ceasefire lines.
Retaliatory strikes by Israel killed 45 Palestinians, according to the territory's Health Ministry, which says a total of 80 people have been killed since the ceasefire took effect.
Hamas, which continued to accuse Israel of multiple ceasefire violations, said communication with its remaining units in Rafah had been cut off for months and “we are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas”.
The Israeli military said Monday it was using concrete barriers and painted poles to more clearly delineate the so-called yellow line in Gaza to where troops have withdrawn and several instances of violence have occurred.
Earlier in the day, Israel said one of its fighter jets struck and killed several people it claimed had crossed the yellow line in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, approached troops and “posed an imminent threat”.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel is still waiting for Hamas to turn over the remains of 15 dead hostages. Thirteen have been turned over.
Read moreHome but forever changed, Israel's freed hostages begin the long road to recovery
The ceasefire's next stage is expected to focus on disarming Hamas, Israeli withdrawal from additional areas it controls in Gaza and future governance of the devastated territory. The US plan proposes the establishment of a "Board of Peace" chaired by Trump and made up of international figures.
In an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” news programme over the weekend, Kushner said the success or failure of the deal would depend on whether Israel and the international mechanism could create a viable alternative to Hamas.
“If they are successful, Hamas will fail, and Gaza will not be a threat to Israel in the future,” he said.
A Hamas delegation led by chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya was in Cairo to follow up on the implementation of the ceasefire deal with mediators and other Palestinian groups.
Palestinians in Gaza fear the deal may fall apart.
Funeral services were held Monday for some of the dozens of people killed by Israeli strikes.
“There should be concerns as long as the matters have yet to be settled,” said Hossam Ahmed from the southern city of Khan Younis.
A major concern is how much aid Israel is letting into Gaza. To facilitate more aid, mediators are working to ensure the opening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, a senior Qatari official said Monday.
“The opening of the Rafah crossing remains essential to scaling up the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid into Gaza,” Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation Mariam bint Ali Al-Misnad said.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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