U.S. envoys met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, seeking to stabilise a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following a surge of violence that killed dozens in Gaza and two Israeli soldiers over the weekend.
The talks, led by U.S. presidential adviser Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff, are part of President Donald Trump’s effort to salvage the week-old truce, which both sides reaffirmed after Sunday’s deadly flare-up. Yet, with fresh clashes and air strikes continuing into Monday, the ceasefire remains on shaky ground.
According to Israeli and Palestinian officials, the U.S. delegation’s immediate goal is to reinforce the initial stages of the 20-step ceasefire plan before moving on to more complex political arrangements, including security guarantees and governance of Gaza.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected in Israel on Tuesday to hold additional talks with Netanyahu, with discussions focused on “regional challenges and opportunities,” the prime minister’s office said.
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Palestinian medics said at least three people were killed on Monday by Israeli tank fire near a “yellow line” marking the military pullback zone between Israel and Gaza’s populated areas. The Israeli military said its forces targeted militants who had crossed into restricted territory.
Residents in Gaza City said confusion persists over the boundaries of the withdrawal zone. “The whole area is in ruins. We saw the maps, but we can’t tell where those lines are,” said Samir, a 50-year-old resident of Tuffah.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz released footage showing bulldozers placing yellow barriers along the route to mark the new line, while warning that “anyone remaining beyond the line will be targeted without warning.”
In Cairo, Egyptian mediators met Hamas leaders, including Khalil Al-Hayya, to discuss ways to implement the truce and outline the formation of a technocratic administration to govern Gaza. A Palestinian official close to the talks said Hamas was resisting proposals for any foreign-led administration as envisioned in the Trump plan.
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the truce, claiming 46 people were killed in airstrikes and aid deliveries were delayed. The group’s armed wing said it had “no contact with groups involved in the Rafah incident” that sparked Sunday’s escalation.
Despite reassurances from both sides, many Gaza residents remain fearful. “I felt my heart drop. I thought the ceasefire had collapsed,” said Abu Abdallah, a displaced businessman in central Gaza. “People are panicking and stockpiling food. The deal looks so fragile.”
Israeli officials said aid convoys would continue entering Gaza, even after the renewed fighting. “Israel will not accept any violations of the ceasefire,” a government spokesperson said, adding that Hamas “has no future role inside Gaza” and must disarm under the peace plan.