Israel says troops fired on masked gunmen in Gaza, but it remains committed to the ceasefire as it continues a new offensive in the West Bank.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 653 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The information was verified by Israeli authorities and ceasefire guarantors including the United States,

The contractors have been enlisted to do weapons checks on vehicles carrying displaced Palestinians back to their homes in the north under the terms of the new cease-fire.

To better understand what the cease-fire will mean for the Israelis, the Palestinians, and the Middle East, Foreign Affairs turned to Marc Lynch, a professor of political science at George Washington University and the director of its Middle East Studies program.

This 42-day ceasefire aims to halt the 15-month conflict and facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas.

The full extent of the damage will only be known when the fighting ends and inspectors have access to the territory.

After more than 15 months of relentless Israeli bombardment, Gaza has been left in ruins. If last week's ceasefire holds, rebuilding could take decades, cost tens of billions of dollars and present overwhelming obstacles.

The chances for durable peace may depend on Trump’s whims.

Trump has rescinded the Biden administration’s sanctions against Israelis accused of violence in the territory.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel delayed a Cabinet vote Thursday on the long-awaited ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages. Israeli airstrikes, meanwhile, killed at least 72 people in the war-ravaged territory.

The new commander-in-chief and fellow generals must be more committed to a victory, one in the field that permits Israel a victory at the diplomatic table.