The U.S. State Department issued a sharp warning Saturday, stating it has “credible reports” that the militant group Hamas is planning an attack that would target Palestinian civilians within the Gaza Strip, a move that would represent a “direct and grave violation” of the recently brokered ceasefire agreement.
The agreement, forged by President Donald Trump to end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas, is now facing its most serious threat since its inception. The State Department did not disclose any further details regarding the nature or timing of the potential attack.
The statement cautioned Hamas, saying, “Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.”
The news comes as tensions remain high, with reports earlier indicating that delays in the return of hostages’ bodies were already fraying nerves, despite Hamas’s public reaffirmation of its commitment to the peace deal.
READ: ICE Rescues Alabama Toddler In Mexico, Kidnapper Tied To Dangerous Sex Offender
Trump Issues and Clarifies Threat
The State Department’s warning follows recent, hostile rhetoric from President Trump, who had previously taken to social media to declare, “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.”
This threat marked a significant shift in the President’s public stance, who had earlier expressed what some perceived as nonchalance about previous Hamas killings, stating they had taken out “a couple of gangs that were very bad.”
However, President Trump later clarified that the U.S. would not deploy its own troops into Gaza.
“It’s not going to be us,” he told reporters. “We won’t have to. There are people very close, very nearby that will go in and they’ll do the trick very easily, but under our auspices.”
The State Department’s strong language underscores the fragility of the peace deal and the immediate international concern over the safety of civilians in Gaza should the reported attack take place.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
