The peace deal in Gaza brokered by United States President Donald Trump is under threat after Hamas and Israel reported multiple violations over the past week.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other, while Trump has dispatched his special envoys to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Israel to ramp up the truce.
According to diplomatic sources, Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son in Law Jared Kushner met Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss the ongoing "developments and updates" in the region.
The details of the negotiations have not been made public. However, Israeli sources have said that the second phase of the peace deal, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and Disarmament of Hamas, were likely some of the topics being discussed.
Hamas and Israel have reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire following Trump’s strong warnings after recent hostilities. The Israeli forces on Monday said that two of its soldiers had been killed when a Hamas-affiliated group in southern Gaza fired an anti-tank missile and shot at its troops.
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Hamas has repeatedly denied involvement in the attack, saying the group has no presence in southern Gaza, but that particular attack prompted retaliatory airstrikes from the Israeli forces.
Hamas on Monday said it has fully complied with the agreement. Israel said it received the remains of another deceased hostage. However, the Israeli side has constantly accused Hamas of derailing the ceasefire and return of hostage bodies.
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said, "Let it be known and understood. We are still demanding for the bodies of our deceased hostages to be returned by Hamas. We know Hamas can return them and we know that Hamas is aware of theirwhereabouts."
Meanwhile, besides Witkoff and Kushner, US Vice President JD Vance is also expected to visit the country soon and meet with Netanyahu.
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