By Aldgra Fredly
Contributing Writer
President Donald Trump said Sunday that the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza remains in effect, despite recent strikes by Israeli forces in response to alleged violations of the U.S.-led peace deal by Hamas.
“Yeah, it is,” the president said when asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One about whether the cease-fire was still in place.
Trump described Hamas as having been “quite rambunctious” due to recent shootings in Gaza, but said he believed the alleged violations were carried out by “some rebels within,” not by the terrorist group’s leadership.
“But either way, it’s going to be handled properly. It’s going to be handled toughly but properly,” he said.
When asked whether he thought Israel’s move to launch strikes on Gaza amid the cease-fire was justified, Trump responded, “I’d have to get back to you on that,” adding that the situation is currently “under review.”
The Israeli Defense Forces said it had begun “renewed enforcement of the cease-fire” and promised to uphold the terms of the agreement with Hamas, but vowed that it would “respond firmly” to any violations by the terrorist group and act in its own defense.
The Israeli military said earlier that Hamas had had violated the cease-fire by firing an anti-tank missile at Israeli Defense Forces operating in the Rafah area, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers.
In response, the Israeli military conducted strikes against Hamas’ “weapons storage facilities, firing posts, [and] terrorist cells,” as well as an underground infrastructure believed to have been used by Hamas to advance attacks against Israel.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Vice President JD Vance said that “fits and starts” were likely to occur as the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas continues. The peace agreement took effect on Oct. 10.
“Look, it’s going to be complicated. I mean, the best-case scenario, meaning if this thing absolutely produces that sustainable long-term peace that the president and I hope that it will, there are going to be fits and starts,” Vance said.
“Hamas is going to fire on Israel. Israel is going to have to respond,” he noted. “But we think that it has the best chance for a sustainable peace. But even if it does that, it’s going to have hills and valleys, and we’re going to have to monitor the situation.”
The U.S. State Department issued a notice on Saturday warning of “credible reports” that Hamas was planning an imminent attack on Palestinian civilians in violation of the peace agreement.
The department warned Hamas of possible measures if the terrorist group proceeds with its “planned attack against Palestinian civilians” and violates the cease-fire agreement.
“The guarantors demand Hamas uphold its obligations under the cease-fire terms,” it stated. “The United States and the other guarantors remain resolute in our commitment to ensuring the safety of civilians, maintaining calm on the ground, and advancing peace and prosperity for the people of Gaza and the region as a whole.”
The notice was issued amid reports of violence and shootings in Gaza between Hamas and rival factions. Hamas on Sunday rejected the State Department’s statement, saying that the allegations were false.
Jacob Burg, Melanie Sun and Joseph Lord contributed to this report.
