Donald Trump promised to unleash death upon Hamas if the militants do not uphold their peace agreement with Israel.
‘Numerous of our NOW GREAT ALLIES in the Middle East, and areas surrounding the Middle East, have explicitly and strongly, with great enthusiasm, informed me that they would welcome the opportunity, at my request, to go into GAZA with a heavy force and “straighten out Hamas” [sic] if Hamas continues to act badly, in violation of their agreement with us,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The president’s comments come as Vice President JD arrived in Israel for urgent talks with Benjamin Netanyahu as the Gaza peace deal hangs by a thread.
Trump dispatched his right-hand man and the second lady as Netanyahu ordered strikes after two Israeli soldiers were killed by Hamas fighters.
‘The love and spirit for the Middle East has not been seen like this in a thousand years! It is a beautiful thing to behold!’ Trump continue.
‘I told these countries, and Israel, “NOT YET!” There is still hope that Hamas will do what is right.’
‘If they do not, an end to Hamas will be FAST, FURIOUS, & BRUTAL! I would like to thank all of those countries that called to help.’
‘Also, I would like to thank the great and powerful country of Indonesia, and its wonderful leader, for all of the help they have shown and given to the Middle East, and to the U.S.A.’
The first phase of the ceasefire with Hamas and Israel is still ongoing despite Hamas not handing over the remaining bodies of the 15 deceased hostages.
Hamas has claimed retrieving the bodies is difficult due to the rubble and ruin across the Gaza region.
The next phase of Trump’s peace plan is for the disarmament of Hamas along with the group losing control of governing Gaza. Hamas has not agreed to this part of the peace deal.
Militants and Israeli Defense Forces, however, have fired at each other in southern Gaza amid the fragile ceasefire.
Israel’s government has accused Hamas’ armed ‘Al Qassam Brigades,’ of repeatedly violating the agreement.
After trading strikes earlier this week, Hamas negotiators reiterated that the group is committed to ensuring the war ‘ends once and for all.’
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel is still waiting for Hamas to turn over the remains of 15 deceased hostages. Thirteen bodies have been released since the ceasefire began.
The Gaza Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, said that Israel transferred the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza as part of the ceasefire.
The International Committee of the Red Cross handed over the bodies to the Nasser hospital in the southern city of Khan Yunis, it said.
The new arrivals brought the number of bodies Israel sent back to Gaza to 165 since the exchanges started earlier this month, according to the health ministry.