At least 12 people were treated for injuries after Israeli settlers attacked two occupied West Bank villages north of Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
The attacks came after newly-inaugurated US president Donald Trump rescinded Biden-era executive orders that sanctioned far-right Israeli settlers for undermining peace in the territory.
Trump also expressed scepticism about the truce between Israel and Hamas, saying it was “not our war”. He did say his administration “might” help rebuild Gaza, which he described as having strong real estate potential.
Gaza continued to receive an influx of aid and goods on Monday, day two of the ceasefire, with 915 trucks crossing into the territory according to the UN.
Earlier, the relatives of the first three Israeli women freed from captivity in Gaza issued public statements thanking those who made their release possible. They also pleaded with the Israeli government to keep up the phased ceasefire deal that led to their loved ones’ release, and warned their road to recovery could be long.
Trump not confident ceasefire in Gaza will hold
Donald Trump said Hamas was weakened, but that he was not certain that the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas would hold.
“I’m not confident,” Mr Trump told reporters. “That’s not our war. It’s their war.”
He said that his administration “might” help rebuild Gaza, which he compared to a “massive demolition site”.
“Some beautiful things could be done with it,” said Mr Trump, the real estate developer turned commander-in-chief, noting the territory’s coastline and “phenomenal” weather and location.
“Some fantastic things could be done with Gaza. Some beautiful things could be done with Gaza.”
Namita Singh21 January 2025 03:26
Trump rescinds sanctions on far-right Israeli settlers
Among other Biden-era executive orders that President Donald Trump rescinded on Monday is one that authorises sanctions on people who undermine peace in the occupied West Bank.
The Biden administration used the executive order to impose a handful of sanctions on extremist settlers accused of using violence against Palestinians who live in the West Bank after Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel.
Settlers in the territory have celebrated the incoming Trump administration, believing it will take a more favourable approach to illegal settlements.
During his first term, Mr Trump took unprecedented steps to support Israel’s territorial claims, including recognising Jerusalem as its capital and moving the US Embassy there, and recognising Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights.
Namita Singh21 January 2025 03:15
Everything we know about the Israel and Hamas ceasefire deal in Gaza
Alexander Butler21 January 2025 03:00
A year of war in Gaza: A timeline of key moments as ceasefire deal agreed
Alexander Butler21 January 2025 02:00
UN chief says 630 aid trucks entered Gaza on first day of ceasefire
More than 630 humanitarian aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip on Sunday, United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres said.
At least 300 of those trucks went to the enclave’s north, where the UN says famine looms.. The vehicles entered on the first day of a the ceasefire.
The average number of aid trucks entering Gaza in December, the month before the ceasefire, was 72, according to the OCHA. It was around 500 a day before the war started on 7 October.
Alexander Butler21 January 2025 01:00
Child ‘shot by Israeli sniper’ in Gaza
A Palestinian child has been shot dead by an Israeli sniper in Rafah, southern Gaza, despite a ceasefire coming into place on Sunday, according to reports.
Footage, which has not been verified, showed a man dragging the body of a child under the sound of gunfire, Al Jazeera reported.
Alexander Butler21 January 2025 00:11
Who are the 33 Israeli hostages set to be released under first phase of Gaza ceasefire?
Alexander Butler21 January 2025 00:01
The terrible cost of peace between Israel and Hamas: In numbers
Alexander Butler20 January 2025 23:00
After 15 months of war, Hamas still rules over what remains of Gaza
Alexander Butler20 January 2025 21:53
Palestinians begin search for those missing or buried under rubble in Gaza during ceasefire
Alexander Butler20 January 2025 20:30
