US steps up diplomacy after Gaza's weekend of violence threatens truce

Israel, Hamas both recommit to ceasefire plan as talks over the next phase loom

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US envoys met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Oct 20 aiming to corral Israel and Hamas to get the Gaza ceasefire plan back on track after an explosion of violence over the weekend that threatened to derail the week-old truce.

Israel and Hamas have both recommitted to the ceasefire plan pushed by US President Donald Trump since Oct 19's flareup in which a Palestinian attack that killed two soldiers prompted an Israeli bombardment, killing at least 28 people in Gaza.

However, with even the first stages of the truce shaken by repeated flashes of violence, including on Oct 20, it is far from clear whether the US will be able to keep pressure on the two sides and maintain momentum to end the conflict.

The US envoys, Mr Steve Witkoff and Mr Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, were expected to push to shore up the truce and then start talks on the next, more difficult, phase of the 20-step plan during their visit.

US Vice-President J.D. Vance was also due to visit Israel on Oct 21, Israel's airports authority said.

High-level US diplomacy in the region, with talks also due with Hamas in Egypt, underscore the importance of cementing the ceasefire to Mr Trump, who last week proclaimed "the historic dawn of a new Middle East".

On Oct 20, Palestinian medics said three more people had been killed by Israeli tank fire near the "yellow line" demarcating Israel's military pullback inside Gaza from the main populated areas.