Trump warns Israel may resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas violates ceasefire

Washington-US President Donald Trump told CNN on Wednesday that he may permit Israel to resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas fails to honor the recently agreed ceasefire.

“If Hamas refuses to lay down its arms, Israel will be back on those streets the moment I give the go-ahead,” Trump said during a brief phone conversation with the network. “If Israel wanted to strike hard, it could easily do so,” he added.

PM Shehbaz meets US President Trump at Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt

Later, addressing reporters at the Oval Office, Trump clarified that the US military would not take part in any disarmament effort. He emphasized that Washington fully supports Israel and expects Hamas to surrender its weapons as part of the Gaza ceasefire arrangement finalized last week.

Earlier,

Planning has begun for an international force to go into Gaza to stabilise security in the Palestinian enclave, two senior US advisers said on Wednesday.

One of the top requirements of President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan was the formation of a US-backed stabilisation force. The United States has agreed to provide up to 200 troops to support the force, without deploying them in Gaza itself.

The two senior advisers, in a briefing for reporters, said tensions remain high between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the enclave.

“Right now, what we’re looking to accomplish is just a basic stabilisation of the situation. The international stabilisation force is starting to be constructed,” one adviser said.

Among the countries the US is speaking to about contributing to the force are Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar and Azerbaijan, said the adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The advisers said there were up to two dozen US troops in the region to help set up the operation, serving in a “coordination, oversight” role.

“The goal is to use all the different local partners who want to help and be involved,” the adviser said.