President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains intact, despite a series of recent violent exchanges. On Saturday, Israel conducted airstrikes in Rafah as retaliation for attacks on its forces. The Israeli government has accused Hamas of not fully complying with the ceasefire agreement, citing the failure to return all bodies of hostages taken during the conflict. As of now, Hamas still holds 16 of the 28 hostages who died in Gaza following their abduction on October 7, 2023.
During a video statement released on Sunday night, Trump emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the region. “We’re going to have to see what’s happening,” he said, expressing a desire for a peaceful resolution. He described Hamas as “quite rambunctious,” indicating concerns over the ongoing violence. Reports from Gaza suggest that skirmishes have erupted between Hamas and rival factions, complicating the situation further.
In the same video, filmed as Trump returned to Washington from Mar-a-Lago, he mentioned that some members of his administration speculate that the clashes might be attributed to internal dissent within Hamas. “Either way, it’s going to be handled properly. It’s going to be handled toughly, but properly,” Trump stated.
U.S. officials acknowledged that they did not expect an immediate end to hostilities following the ceasefire declaration. “We knew this was brewing. And the longer these guys are allowed to attack each other, the more they’re going to attack each other,” a senior official explained. The Israeli Air Force reported a successful strike on terror operatives in Khan Younis, who were allegedly approaching Israeli forces, further heightening tensions.
Critical Period Ahead
Another U.S. official described the next 30 days as “critical” for the region’s stability, asserting that the United States is now actively involved in overseeing the ceasefire implementation. “We are going to be calling the shots,” the official stated, underlining the urgency of the situation.
The ongoing violence has led to accusations from Israel that Hamas has violated the ceasefire by launching attacks on Israeli troops. In response, the Israeli military has announced plans for a “renewed enforcement” of the ceasefire, following instructions from political leaders. Hamas, in turn, has expressed support for the ceasefire while distancing itself from the recent attacks on Israeli soldiers.
The situation remains precarious, with both sides navigating a complex landscape of conflict and diplomacy. As the international community watches closely, the focus remains on ensuring that the ceasefire holds and that further escalation does not occur.
