The ceasefire is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas and securing the release of dozens of hostages captured in the militants’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, which triggered the fighting.

But the UN's special rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, denounced the statements by both Trump and Smotrich, saying: "Ethnic cleansing is anything but an 'out-of the box' thinking, no matter how one packages it. It is illegal, immoral and irresponsible."

Two Israeli women, Arbel Yehud and Agam Berger, are to be released on Thursday, local time, along with a third unidentified hostage, following negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

The European Union is in talks to revive a civilian mission to monitor the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt at Rafah following the announcement of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians were jubilant to be returning home but fear what might remain of their homes.

Qatar prepares for the start of negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement as thousands return to their devastated homes

"It is now time to deliver this agreement for all hostages and their families, the people of Gaza, and the people of the region," said the E.U. foreign policy chief.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas praised Türkiye as an important actor in cooperation on regional issues and a strategic partner for the bloc ahead

Qatar prepares for the start of negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement as thousands return to their devastated homes

A civilian EU mission to help monitor the Rafah crossing was agreed to in 2005 but suspended in June 2007. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The European Union is set to restart its civilian mission to monitor the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that the EUBAM Rafah mission will be redeployed to support the ceasefire and facilitate medical aid for injured individuals in Gaza.

European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed to restart a monitoring mission at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the bloc's top diplomat said.