US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Israel Monday to shore up the fragile Gaza ceasefire after its first major test. The diplomatic mission came a day after Israel threatened to halt aid deliveries following the deaths of two Israeli soldiers in Hamas attacks.
Israel suspended aid transfers Sunday but resumed them Monday after US pressure. The ceasefire, now more than a week old, aims to end two years of devastating war between Israel and Hamas.
Diplomatic Mission
The US Embassy confirmed both envoys had landed in Tel Aviv. Israeli military officials later announced they would resume enforcing the ceasefire agreement and restart aid deliveries.
President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Hamas has been "quite rambunctious" and suggested the violence might come from "rebels" within the organisation rather than its leadership. Trump's assessment highlights the internal challenges facing Hamas as it attempts to maintain control.
Implementation Challenges
Sunday's escalation saw Israeli strikes across Gaza that killed at least 45 Palestinians, according to reports. Hamas accused Israel of multiple ceasefire violations while claiming communication with its units in Rafah had been cut off for months.
The BBC reports that confusion over ceasefire boundaries has led to the Yellow Line demarcation being physically marked with bulldozers and yellow blocks. Hamas has also submitted a list of more than 40 politically independent technocrats for a Gaza governance committee.
The militant group's security forces have returned to Gaza's streets, clashing with armed groups and killing alleged criminals in what Hamas describes as restoring law and order. These efforts come as Israeli troops withdraw from certain areas under the ceasefire terms.
Future Governance
The next phases will focus on disarming Hamas, further Israeli withdrawals, and establishing international governance for the devastated territory. Kushner told 60 Minutes that success depends on creating "a viable alternative to Hamas."
Palestinians in Gaza remain wary about the deal's durability after Sunday's violence. Funeral services took place Monday for dozens killed in recent Israeli strikes, with mourners gathering behind bodies draped in white sheets.
"There should be concerns as long as the matters have yet to be settled," said Hossam Ahmed, a displaced person from Khan Younis. The humanitarian situation remains critical as questions persist about aid deliveries into Gaza.
The conflict began with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack that killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. The subsequent war has killed more than 68,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
Sources used: "Associated Press", "Independent", "BBC"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
