Trump Warns Israel May Resume Attacks on Hamas if Truce Terms Aren’t Met
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated Israel is justified in continuing its military operations in Gaza if Hamas fails to fully adhere to the terms of the current ceasefire agreement. The warning comes as the release of hostages held by Hamas remains incomplete, raising concerns about the fragility of the truce and the potential for renewed conflict.
The Gaza ceasefire, which began last Friday, stipulated the handover of 48 hostages – 20 living and 28 deceased – held by Hamas. While Hamas has released all 20 living hostages to Israel, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), only nine bodies of deceased hostages have been returned as of Wednesday. Israel, in exchange, released 1,968 Palestinian prisoners. The stalled transfer of remains is fueling tensions and prompting threats of escalated military action.
Trump previously asserted, “We will disarm them,” if Hamas refused to disarm. Israeli Defense minister Israel Katz echoed this sentiment, threatening to resume fighting if Hamas does not uphold the agreement. “If Hamas refuses to comply with the agreement, Israel, in coordination with the United States, will continue fighting and act to achieve the total defeat of Hamas, change the reality in Gaza, and achieve all war objectives,” Katz stated, according to AFP.
One body handed over by Hamas was not identified as belonging to a hostage by Israeli authorities. The fate of the remaining 19 bodies remains uncertain, and the situation is being closely monitored by both Israel and the United States.