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Trump says Hamas received US approval to rearm
Trump has said the US is aware that Hamas is “rearming” in Gaza and claimed the group had been given US approval to do so “for a period of time”.
Asked by a reporter on board Air Force One before his arrival in Israel about reports that Hamas was “rearming” and instituting itself as a Palestinian police force, Trump said the group was attempting to restore order after months of war.
“They’ve been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time,” he said. “You have to understand – they’ve lost probably 60,000 people. That’s a lot of retribution,” he argued.
According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, Israeli attacks have killed more than 67,000 people, including more than 20,000 children.
Trump also said the US wanted to ensure returning residents could rebuild safely, describing Gaza as “literally demolished” and saying “a lot of bad things can happen” as people return.
The timeline for Hamas’s decommissioning of weapons has become one of the main sticking points within the ceasefire deal, with negotiators divided over how and when disarmament should take place.
Hamas + PIJ lost 8,900 fighters at most according to Israeli military data
https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/aug/21/revealed-israeli-militarys-own-data-indicates-civilian-death-rate-of-83-in-gaza-war
Plus the real death toll is far far higher than the official count. Only bodies arriving at the hospital that are both identified and confirmed to be killed by direct fire are included in the official death toll. Unidentified, died later of wounds/complications, stuck under the rubble, buried by family, all doesn't count. The death toll will continue to go up as more bodies are found.
A census of who are left is probably going to send shockwaves :/
EU to resume Rafah border control mission
The European Union will resume its monitoring mission at the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
“Securing peace in Gaza will be extraordinarily complex,” Kallas said in a post on X. “The EU stands ready to do its part. On Wednesday, it will restart a civilian mission to monitor the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.”
EU pledges support for Gaza reconstruction, reforming PA
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the EU will help reform the Palestinian Authority (PA) and fund the reconstruction of Gaza.
In a post on X, von der Leyen welcomed the ceasefire deal’s finalisation in Sharm el-Sheikh later today, calling it “a historical milestone”.
“The return of the Israeli hostages is a moment of pure joy for those families. And a moment of relief for the entire world. It means that a page can be turned. A new chapter can begin,” she wrote.
“Europe fully supports the peace plan brokered by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye. We stand ready to contribute to its success with all tools at our disposal, in particular by providing support on governance and for the reform of the Palestinian Authority.
“We will be an active force within the Palestinian Donors Group and will provide EU funding for the reconstruction of Gaza.”
Von der Leyen said the agreement ending the war represented “a new chapter” for the region.
