United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas, threatening to “go in and kill” members of the group if attacks on civilians in Gaza continue.
Trump’s remarks follow disturbing reports of continued violence in Gaza, where Hamas is accused of executing suspected collaborators and maintaining a crackdown in areas recently vacated by Israeli forces under a U.S-brokered ceasefire agreement.
“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,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
The president did not clarify whether U.S. military forces would be involved, although he stated earlier this week that American troops would not be needed to enforce peace in Gaza.
Trump’s position marks a shift from earlier in the week, when he appeared dismissive of the reported Hamas executions, calling them actions against “very bad gangs” and saying they didn’t concern him much.
“They’ve been open about wanting to stop the problems,” Trump said during a recent visit to Israel and Egypt, where he celebrated progress made under the 20-point truce deal.
Meanwhile, Admiral Brad Cooper, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, called on Hamas to halt its attacks and fully comply with the terms of the ceasefire.
Hamas, which has regained control in several devastated areas of Gaza since the partial Israeli pullout, has reportedly carried out public executions and tightened its hold on civilians, raising concerns among international observers.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered with U.S. support, was intended to halt hostilities and begin a rebuilding process, but escalating violence has raised doubts about its sustainability.
