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Both Israelis and Palestinians are wondering whether Trump’s extreme pronouncements are a bluff, a shock tactic or a serious proposal.

In the hours leading up to President Donald Trump’s prime-time press conference Tuesday, his team knew what was coming. He had been discussing an idea for months — a U.S. takeover of the Gaza Strip — with advisers, some of whom saw it as a negotiating ploy to give Israeli leaders more leverage over Hamas as they try to turn a fragile cease-fire into a lasting peace.

A small U.S. security firm is hiring nearly 100 U.S. special forces veterans to help run a checkpoint in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas truce, according to a company spokesperson and a recruitment email seen by Reuters, introducing armed American contractors into the heart of one of the world's most violent conflict zones.

A ceasefire has finally been agreed between Israel and Hamas.

Cuomo, NewsNation

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The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, expected to begin its first phase Sunday, has brought relief to the international community but questions about whether the truce will hold — an issue that President-elect Trump will have to oversee when he takes office next week.

The deal could halt some 15 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas that has leveled vast tracts of Gaza.

I am eager for the war in Gaza to end and for the hostages to be released. Yet, I am concerned that the ceasefire deal agreed upon this week by Israel and Hamas is inevitably going to allow Hamas to retalia...