Israel attacks Gaza, accuses Hamas of attacking Israeli forces
Israeli officials said their military carried out airstrikes in southern Gaza after Hamas militants allegedly opened fire on Israeli soldiers.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has threatened to “eradicate” Hamas if it continues to violate a cease-fire agreement that the United States helped broker between the militant group and Israel.
President Trump made the comments on October 20, as fighting escalated over the weekend and threatened to upend a 10-day-old agreement. Israel launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on October 19 in retaliation for what Israeli authorities said were two soldiers killed in a Hamas attack.
In response to a question from a reporter, President Trump said, “We have made an agreement with Hamas that they will behave well and be kind to us.” “If they don’t, we’re going to go and eradicate them if necessary. They will be eradicated. And they know it.”
President Trump said his threat did not refer to U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East.
“As you know, there is no need for that because many countries have signed this agreement,” he said. “Countries that have seen killings by Hamas have called me and said, “We would love to go there and take control of the situation.”
Vice President J.D. Vance will head to Israel on October 20th to promote implementation of the second phase of the fragile peace agreement. In the days after the peace deal was signed, Hamas quickly regained control of Gaza but did not release the remains of all the deceased hostages as previously promised.
The second phase of Trump’s peace plan includes the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners of war, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, increased aid to Gaza, and the long-term rule of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas, following the first phase, which centered on a ceasefire between the two sides.
The Israel Defense Forces announced on October 19 that it had targeted dozens of Hamas targets across Gaza, after carrying out an initial attack in the Rafah area in southern Gaza in response to an attack on Israeli soldiers. Israel also temporarily suspended the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
At least 28 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to Reuters.
The Hamas militant group, which has refused to commit to disarmament, said it was not aware of any clashes in Rafah and had not been in contact with groups in Rafah since March. Hamas also accuses Israel of committing a series of violations, killing 46 people and blocking essential supplies from reaching the enclave.
President Trump said of Hamas: “This is a violent group. We’ve probably realized this over the last 100 years.” “They got very rowdy and did things they shouldn’t have done. If they continue to do that, we’re going to step in and make it right.”
“And unfortunately, it’s going to happen very quickly and quite violently,” the president added.
Contributor: Reuters; Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY
X Contact Joey Garrison at @joeygarrison.
