US President Donald Trump warned the terrorist group Hamas on Monday that it will be “eradicated” if it violates the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, but ruled out sending US troops to the Palestinian territory.
The Republican president insisted that the truce's validity depends solely on the extremist organization's behavior and that there is international community support to intervene in the event of further violent actions.
Trump asserted that the agreement reached establishes that Hamas “is going to behave, is going to be very good, and is going to be kind.” He emphasized that the group must strictly comply with the terms of the ceasefire.
“And if they don’t, we’re going to go in and eradicate them. If necessary, they will be eradicated,” the president emphasized, while reaffirming that the United States will not tolerate a return to violence.
Along these lines, Trump clarified that he will not authorize the deployment of US forces in the Gaza Strip.
"There would be no American troops on the ground at all," he said. He explained that the strategy includes turning to allied countries for any military intervention in Gaza.
“I could tell them to step in and take care of it. But for now, we haven’t said that,” he said, assuring that Israel would act immediately if asked to intervene.
“Israel would intervene in two minutes if I asked it to,” he said.
The president explained that his administration has secured numerous nations' support for the peace agreement and is ready to form an international force should violence resume.
"There are dozens of countries that have agreed to join an international stabilization force for Gaza that would be happy to intervene," he said. Trump reaffirmed that Israel is one of the key players in a position to respond quickly.
The US president stressed that the warning to Hamas also stems from the loss of international and regional support, which, in his view, leaves the Islamist group in an untenable position.
“The militant group no longer has the backing of Iran. It no longer has the backing of anyone. They have to behave, and if they don't, they will be eradicated,” Trump reiterated. The warning comes as Hamas's main regional ally is unable to provide assistance following a series of previous attacks on its territory.
In the Strip, Israeli bombings of Palestinian positions have left dozens dead in response to violent incidents in southern Gaza, where two Israeli soldiers were killed in a clash near Rafah. Following that incident, Israel announced it was resuming the ceasefire, and Trump publicly reaffirmed that the truce remains in effect.
The president insisted that the United States will continue to use diplomatic pressure and international support to maintain the ceasefire and offer Hamas a “small opportunity” to demonstrate a change of heart.
“Let’s give them a little chance, and hopefully there will be a little less violence,” he said.
The cessation of hostilities allowed for the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area and the gradual return of Hamas activity, both politically and militarily, in several areas of Gaza. The situation remains tense, with sporadic episodes of violence and clashes between various local militias.
Trump emphasized that his warning is clear and that the military option remains valid, always under international leadership.
