The Palestinian Authority has reported that Hamas may revert to using schools, hospitals, and other civilian areas as shelters during the ceasefire. This comes as President Trump cautioned that U.S. allies in the Middle East are ready to take military action against the group.
P resident Trump’s remarks highlight a serious concern in the region, where, according to politician Ramzi Awda, Hamas has already begun to occupy facilities meant for civilians, leveraging them to monitor the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
An official from the Palestinian Authority alleged that Hamas has been summoning those opposed to them from these civilian locations for questioning.
Furthermore, Awda mentioned that officials from international aid organizations have recently been contacted by Hamas to gather details on the distribution of aid supplies.
Politicians have also claimed that Hamas is now enforcing taxes and fees on imported goods to support its operations.
Although Awda did not provide specific evidence for these claims, it’s known that during the two-year conflict with Israel, Hamas has utilized dense urban areas to hide its activities.
Israel insists that Hamas employs this strategy to create human shields. The Israeli military has continuously released evidence, including images of terrorist infrastructure concealed in and around schools, churches, and hospitals in Gaza.
After the ceasefire was announced, there were shocking reports of Hamas restoring control over Gaza, including a disturbing video of public executions in Gaza City.
Trump expressed his stance that Hamas must comply with the peace plan and prepare to relinquish its arms and influence. During a recent address, he emphasized that countries in the Middle East are prepared to deploy troops to address terrorist activities if necessary.
He claimed that several allies are ready to assist in Gaza, asserting that they would “make it right” if Hamas disregards agreements.
Interestingly, so far, only Indonesia has publicly signaled its intention to send troops as part of an international effort to maintain order in Gaza.
Despite reports of hesitance from some neighboring countries, Trump maintained that regional players are enthusiastic about responding to his directives. He mentioned, “I told them, ‘Not yet!’ There’s still a chance for Hamas to change direction.”
He concluded with a warning: “If they fail to act accordingly, the end for Hamas will be swift and brutal,” while expressing gratitude to nations willing to assist.
