Israel's economy minister said on Wednesday it seeks a peaceful Gaza but has not decided whether to help fund its reconstruction and would not allow the rebuilding of Hamas rule that he said could lead to another cross-border militant attack.

Nir Barka also said that former U.S. President Joe Biden "restrained Israel," and expressed optimism about support from President Donald Trump.

The Israelis being returned by Hamas were criminally kidnapped. Getting them back isn't a fair 'deal'; it's extortion, says a reader.