Biden Welcomes Gaza Ceasefire, Calls for Probe of Civilian Casualties

WASHINGTON (Reuters/Hamodia) – U.S. President Joe Biden has welcomed a truce declared by Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad and said he supports an investigation into reports of civilian casualties.

“My administration supports a timely and thorough investigation into all of these reports, and we also call on all parties to fully implement the ceasefire, and to ensure fuel and humanitarian supplies are flowing into Gaza as the fighting subsides,” Biden said.

The U.S. State Department released a similar statement: “The U.S. is committed to Israel’s security and will work with regional partners to improve the living conditions of the residents of Gaza.”

Fuel trucks were seen entering Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Monday, which had been closed by Israeli authorities during the fighting.

A U.N. delegation entered the Gaza Strip on Monday morning to monitor implementation of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Islamic Jihad is considering compensating Gaza victims of its rocket misfires over the past three days, Palestinian sources said on Monday.

At least 10 people, including four children, were killed as a result of PIJ missiles failing to clear the Gaza border and hitting homes inside the enclave.

This is the first time the terrorist group has offered restitution to Gazans over its actions. The Palestinians have lambasted the PIJ over the civilian death toll it caused in Gaza during its clashes with Israel over the weekend.

The IDF said Islamic Jihad terrorists fired over 1,000 rockets towards Israel, with over 200 of them falling in the Gaza Strip instead.