The U.S. State Department has warned that Hamas may violate its ceasefire with Israel by planning attacks on Palestinian civilians, raising concerns about the stability of the region.
The U.S. State Department issued a warning on Saturday regarding Hamas, stating that the group is reportedly planning to violate its ceasefire with Israel by launching attacks on civilians in Gaza. This potential breach of the peace agreement has raised alarms among international observers.
“This planned attack against Palestinian civilians would constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts,” the State Department said in a statement shared on social media. The department emphasized that the guarantors of the ceasefire expect Hamas to uphold its obligations under the terms of the agreement.
The United States, along with other guarantors, remains committed to ensuring the safety of civilians and maintaining calm in the region. The goal is to advance peace and prosperity for the people of Gaza and the surrounding areas.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect last weekend, marking a significant development after two years of conflict that escalated following the attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. As part of the ceasefire agreement, the remaining 20 Israeli hostages were returned to Israel, although more than a dozen remains of hostages who were killed are still under Hamas control.
In light of the potential threat, the State Department indicated that “measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire” if Hamas proceeds with its planned attacks.
On Thursday, former President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on Truth Social, following the circulation of footage showing Hamas fighters executing Palestinians in Gaza City’s main square. Trump stated, “If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them.”
Reports from Reuters indicate that at least 33 individuals were executed by Hamas in recent days, which officials described as part of a campaign to “show strength” after the ceasefire was established. Israeli sources have reported that most of those killed were members of families accused of collaborating with Israel or supporting rival militias.
Trump later clarified that U.S. troops would not be deployed into Gaza, stating, “It’s not going to be us. We won’t have to. There are people very close, very nearby that will go in, and they’ll do the trick very easily, but under our auspices.”
The situation remains fluid, and the international community is closely monitoring developments as tensions persist in the region.
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