Trump Maintains Gaza Ceasefire is Intact Amid Ongoing Tensions

In Washington, President Trump asserted that the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip remains “still in place,” despite accusations from both Hamas and Israel of breaches.

“I would like to see a very peaceful relationship with Hamas, but, you know, they’re quite violent,” Trump stated to reporters while on Air Force One Sunday night.

He mentioned that the group is active and there might be factions acting independently, but that they would be dealt with appropriately.

Recent reports include a disturbing video showing Hamas executing Palestinians who are suspected of being “Israeli collaborators.” This occurred shortly after a peace agreement was made in Egypt.

In response to the horrifying killings, Trump warned of taking swift action against Hamas terrorists.

Over the weekend, Israel retaliated against Hamas by launching attacks in the Gaza Strip, claiming that two of its soldiers were killed during an operation in Rafah, a southern city within the enclave.

A ceasefire, fragile as it is, had started on October 10, and shortly after, Hamas released the last 20 living Israeli hostages as part of an agreement that included a prisoner exchange. This exchange incorporated Palestinian prisoners, several of whom were connected to terrorism, alongside Hamas leaders.

Trump had previously claimed credit for easing tensions in the Middle East and emphasized his aptitude for ending conflicts.

Following the weekend’s hostilities, the Israel Defense Forces announced an intention to reinforce the ceasefire, sparking some optimism about the agreement’s durability.

When pressed on whether the Israeli attacks were justified, Trump replied, “I’ll have to respond to that,” indicating he was gathering information.

“This matter will be handled firmly but appropriately,” he noted.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have relocated to Israel to monitor the situation and ensure the ceasefire remains resilient in the face of challenges.

Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to visit Israel on Tuesday.

Witkoff and Kushner, who played crucial roles in negotiating the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, addressed allegations of genocide in an extensive interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes.” They both firmly denied the claims and reiterated that a war was underway.

According to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, over 60,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza, while Israel’s military previously estimated that more than 47,000 individuals were part of Hamas or Islamic Jihad’s military sectors.

During the CBS interview, Kushner described his visit to Gaza, highlighting the widespread destruction he witnessed post-ceasefire. “It was as if a nuclear bomb had been launched in the area,” he remarked, recalling seeing displaced people. “I asked the IDF, ‘Where are they going?'”

He continued, “We looked around, and the place was in ruins, and they stated, ‘Yes, we’re going back to our property where the house was destroyed, to set up tents.'” His tone turned somber as he observed, “It’s very sad because I don’t think they have anywhere else to go.”