US officials offering ‘contradictory messages’ to Israelis, Palestinians
Palestinians were omitted from the news conference in Israel with senior American officials. Their humanity was not even recognised.
The thousands of Palestinians under the rubble, waiting to be buried by their loved-ones, also not recognised.
The focus was on Israel: the 15 remaining bodies of Israeli captives, Israeli security, Israeli demands, Israeli objections to who can and cannot participate in the temporary stabilisation force in Gaza.
We know Israel has objected to the participation of Turkiye and the US vice president signaled the United States is listening, the United States will not force Israel to do anything.
So really that press conference will have very different effects on Palestinians versus Israelis. There were almost contradictory messages: one of friendship – the other of diktats and omission.
US won’t allow Netanyahu ‘to sabotage’ Gaza truce agreement.
Criticism is increasing on Israel to reopen the vital Rafah border crossing to allow humanitarian aid at scale into the starving Gaza Strip, as it agreed to do 11 days ago in the ceasefire.
The World Food Programme said supplies entering Gaza fall far short of the 2,000 tonnes daily because only two crossings have been opened by Israel. Only 900 trucks have entered Gaza since October 10, when the truce began, but 600 trucks are needed daily for malnourished Palestinians.
Gideon Levy, a columnist with Israel’s Haaretz newspaper, told Al Jazeera that Prime Minister Netanyahu will only fully open all the entry points for aid if the US makes him.
“Much depends on the Americans. Netanyahu right now doesn’t have much freedom to do what he wants,” he told Al Jazeera, noting the high-level US delegation now in Israel to apply pressure.
“They are going to sit on Netanyahu and not let him sabotage the agreement. No doubt Netanyahu is unhappy with the outcome to end the war, and he will do whatever he can in order to prolong these tensions so Israel can retaliate [against Hamas].”
Levy said the ceasefire is “very fragile, but as long as the Americans are devoted, I’m not worried.”
Senior EU official urges unfettered aid access into starving Gaza
The European Union’s crisis management commissioner has joined growing calls for the “safe and unimpeded” access for desperately needed humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Hadja Lahbib said 1,300 trucks containing crucial supplies that were partly funded by the EU are ready to enter Gaza. Israel, however, continues to severely restrict entry despite agreeing to in the truce with Hamas.
The Gaza media office said 986 trucks have entered Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect 11 days ago, significantly short of the 6,600 trucks intended to have entered by Monday.
In the aftermath of a consensual #FAC exchange, our partner @UNICEFpalestine has 1,300+ trucks, funded partly by 🇪🇺, loaded with baby food, winter clothes, hygiene kits & educational supplies ready to enter #Gaza.
I reiterate safe & unimpeded access to deliver this aid into Gaza. pic.twitter.com/bu6gjjWGh4
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) October 21, 2025
