Two senior American diplomats arrived in Israel on Monday to reinforce the fragile Gaza ceasefire. The US envoys visit Israel comes as hostilities ease and militants hand over another hostage’s remains.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, senior adviser and the president’s son-in-law, met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. Their mission: sustain the truce and prevent another surge in violence.
The visit marks a crucial test for President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace strategy, which relies on direct diplomacy and strict accountability.
U.S. Moves to Stabilize the Ceasefire
The US envoys visit Israel after a weekend of renewed fighting that nearly broke the truce. On Sunday, Israeli jets struck multiple sites in Gaza after officials blamed Hamas for killing two soldiers. Dozens of Palestinians died in retaliation.
Israel briefly halted humanitarian aid, drawing concern from the United Nations. Aid shipments later resumed, but the volume of supplies remains unclear.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called the situation “extremely fragile.” He said the U.S. initiative “can help both sides stay committed and avoid further escalation.”
Meetings with Israeli Leaders
In Jerusalem, the U.S. envoys discussed border security, reconstruction, and future withdrawal plans. Netanyahu thanked Washington for its efforts but warned Hamas of harsh consequences for any new attacks.
Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will join the discussions on Tuesday. Their presence underscores continued American involvement in the ceasefire’s success.
Speaking in Washington, Trump said the U.S. would “give the situation a little chance.” He blamed Hamas for ongoing violence. “They have to be good,” Trump warned. “If they’re not, they’ll be eradicated.”
Hostage Remains Returned
During the US envoys visit Israel, Hamas handed over another hostage’s remains to Israeli officials through international mediators. The return raised the total to 13 of 15 promised under the truce.
Israeli defense authorities said each repatriation brings relief to grieving families and strengthens confidence in the peace process. The exchange also allowed limited aid convoys to enter Gaza again.
A Fragile Truce Faces New Risks
The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt brokered the current ceasefire to end more than two years of warfare. Yet violence continues to test its strength.
Hamas accused Israel of repeated violations, claiming rogue groups in southern Gaza acted independently. Israeli officials reported fresh cross-border attacks near Khan Younis and Gaza City and said troops responded to “imminent threats.”
Israel has begun using concrete walls and yellow-line markers to separate withdrawal zones and prevent confusion.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israeli strikes have killed at least 80 Palestinians since the truce began, including 45 on Sunday alone. Independent verification remains difficult, but aid groups confirm high civilian casualties.
The Next Stage of Peace Talks
The next phase discussed during the US envoys visit Israel aims to disarm Hamas and oversee a gradual Israeli withdrawal. The plan includes creating an internationally backed administrative authority to manage reconstruction and aid.
Jared Kushner told CBS’s 60 Minutes that long-term peace depends on replacing Hamas with a viable governing system. “If they succeed,” he said, “Hamas will fail, and Gaza will stop threatening Israel.”
Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya met Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo to review progress. Talks are ongoing this week.
Concerns Over the Ceasefire’s Durability
Despite diplomatic optimism, Gaza residents remain uneasy. In Khan Younis, mourners gathered for funerals of victims killed in recent airstrikes.
“There should be concern as long as matters remain unsettled,” said Hossam Ahmed, a local resident.
Aid agencies warn that the ceasefire’s survival depends on Israel’s cooperation. Qatari Minister Mariam bint Ali Al-Misnad told the AP that reopening the Rafah crossing is essential for life-saving operations.
Thousands of displaced families still lack food, water, and medicine. The Red Cross estimates that thousands more remain missing.
Humanitarian Toll of the War
The Israel-Hamas war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks, has devastated Gaza. Militants killed 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages that day.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 68,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began. While Israel disputes these numbers, U.N. agencies regard the ministry’s data as credible.
“Each number represents a lost life,” said a U.N. coordinator in Gaza. “Sustainable peace is the only way to end this tragedy.”
Path Forward
The US envoys visit Israel demonstrates Washington’s determination to preserve the fragile peace. The administration’s dual approach — combining diplomacy with humanitarian aid — aims to prevent another war cycle.
Analysts say the U.S. is pushing for both immediate calm and a framework for lasting regional stability. “This visit is not symbolic,” said Samira Haddad, a Tel Aviv political analyst. “It’s a test of whether American influence can secure genuine peace.”
For now, the truce still holds. The coming weeks will reveal whether it becomes a foundation for long-term stability or another brief pause in decades of conflict.
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