President Trump threatened to "eradicate" Hamas if it continues to violate a ceasefire the US helped broker between the militant group and Israel.

Vice President JD Vance, who was on the second day of a visit to Israel, said recent trips to the country by top American officials were intended to shore up the fragile Gaza truce.

The body of the oldest hostage taken by Hamas was returned to Israel, along with another deceased hostage, as part of a US-proposed ceasefire agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump said allies in the Middle East are enthusiastic about the idea of fighting Hamas in Gaza if it does not uphold the ceasefire agreement with Israel that he brokered under his 20-point peace plan.

Israel launched a wave of attacks on Gaza after accusing Palestinian militants of attacking its forces across cease-fire lines. Both sides say they are still committed to the truce.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Two of U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys traveled to Israel Monday to shore up the tenuous ceasefire that’s holding in Gaza, a day after the fragile deal faced its first major flareup as Israel threatened to halt aid transfers and killed dozens in strikes after it accused Hamas of killing two soldiers.

Trump said on Monday that the US would destroy Hamas if the militant group didn’t continue to honor the ceasefire with Israel.

None of this means the ceasefire is about to collapse. Even though there will no doubt be further violations, for now a mix of self-interest and American pressure should ensure that Israel and Hamas remain party to the deal.