As Gaza and Israel emerge from 11 days of conflict, mediators are seeking to cement the truce and prevent more violence in the longer term. An Egyptian team was in Israel on Saturday while the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken could visit the region next week. Both Israel and the Palestinian
Gaza Conflict Forces Reordering of Biden s Policy Priorities
Topping the list of US tasks will be to assemble major humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Gaza.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks before a ceasefire agreed by Israel and Hamas was to go into effect, during a brief appearance in the Cross Hall at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 20, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
World3 hours ago
Washington: US President Joe Biden took office in January determined to focus his time and energy on the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn at home and big challenges such as China, Russia and Iran abroad.
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The first convoys of humanitarian aid have arrived in Gaza, hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants came into effect.
Thousands of Palestinians returned home to scenes of devastation with officials saying reconstruction might take years.
The World Health Organization (WHO) called for the creation of corridors for injured people to be evacuated.
More than 250 people were killed in the 11-day conflict, most of them in Gaza. Both Israel and Hamas claimed victory.
In southern Israel, residents celebrated the truce but many expressed concern that another conflict in the region was just a matter of time.
Trucks from various aid agencies, including those affiliated with the United Nations, started bringing much-needed medicine, food and fuel into Gaza, after Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing.
BERLIN (AP) - Police raided sites in seven German states on Wednesday as German authorities announced a ban on three groups linked to the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah.