United States President Donald Trump has warned that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could collapse if the Palestinian group continues to target gangs and alleged Israeli collaborators in Gaza.
In a social media post on Thursday, 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.” He added, “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
This statement appears to represent a shift from Trump’s earlier comments, where he expressed support for Hamas’s efforts to suppress violent gangs in the territory. On Tuesday, he remarked, “They did take out a couple of gangs that were very bad, very, very bad gangs,” and said, “That didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you. That’s OK.”
Recent clashes between Hamas and armed groups in Gaza have been reported, with these factions accused of stealing humanitarian aid and collaborating with Israel. Following violence on Sunday, the Gaza Interior Ministry announced a general amnesty for gang members who did not participate in the conflict.
In June, Israeli officials admitted to arming certain Gaza gangs, some of which have connections to ISIS, as part of an effort to undermine Hamas. On Sunday, gunmen from an Israeli-linked Gaza gang killed prominent Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi, according to local authorities.
Earlier this week, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Hamas over accusations that the group executed suspected Israeli collaborators, calling the alleged killings a “heinous crime.” His office stated, “What happened represents a crime, a flagrant violation of human rights, and a serious assault on the principle of the rule of law.”
Under Trump’s ceasefire proposal, Hamas would be required to disarm and cease any involvement in governing Gaza. However, it remains unclear whether Hamas has accepted these terms.
The truce has largely held since it took effect on Saturday, but Israel has repeatedly violated the agreement by killing Palestinians, citing their proximity to areas under Israeli military control. These areas are not clearly marked.
Israel has also threatened to restrict humanitarian aid to Gaza, accusing Hamas of not returning all captives’ bodies. Additionally, it has refused to open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, limiting movement in and out of the territory.
Trump has described the ceasefire as the beginning of “a new Middle East,” but his recent warning to Hamas raises questions about the truce’s long-term viability, particularly given ongoing Israeli occupation and uncertainty regarding Gaza’s future governance.
During a later Oval Office news conference, Trump clarified that his threat against Hamas would not involve U.S. troops. “I didn’t say who would go in, but somebody will go in,” he told reporters. “It’s not gonna be us. We won’t have to. There are people very close, very nearby that will go in. They’ll do the trick. Very easily. But under our auspices.”
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