President Donald Trump is suggesting he could call on Israel to release imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, the most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader.

The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, which took hold on Oct. 10, remains in place as of Wednesday afternoon, local time, despite reports of clashes in Gaza and accusations of violations from both sides.

Several top U.S. officials are in Israel to shore up the Gaza ceasefire and attempt to bring about a permanent end to the war. They acknowledge the next phase poses serious challenges.

An Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into the territory is halted "until further notice," the first major test of the ceasefire.

A US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza appears to have survived its first major test as Israel and Hamas affirmed their commitment to the deal after two Israeli soldiers were killed in the enclave on Sunday,

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

Benjamin Netanyahu has denied that Israel is a “client state” of the United States, describing the relationship as an “alliance of partners”.

Vance is in Israel in an effort to shore up the U.S.-backed cease-fire. Several Trump administration officials told The New York Times on Monday that there was concern within the administration that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel could vacate the truce.