Trump says Israel could resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas fails to disarm

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Palestinian fighters from Hamas's Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades on guard during the handover of the remains of Israeli hostages in Gaza City, on Oct 15.

Palestinian fighters from Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades standing guard during the handover of the remains of Israeli hostages in Gaza City, on Oct 15.

PHOTO: EPA

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WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump told CNN on Oct 15 that he would consider allowing Israeli forces to resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas fails to uphold its end of the ceasefire deal.

“Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word. If Israel could go in and knock the crap of them, they’d do that,” Mr Trump was quoted as saying to CNN in a brief telephone call when asked what would happen if Hamas refused to disarm.

Israel’s Defence Minister on Oct 15 also threatened to resume fighting if Hamas does not honour the terms of the ceasefire.

A statement from Minister Israel Katz’s office said: “If Hamas refuses to comply with the agreement, Israel, in coordination with the United States, will resume fighting and act to achieve a total defeat of Hamas, to change the reality in Gaza and achieve all the objectives of the war.”

Earlier, the US military's Middle East command on Oct 15 called on Hamas to stop its violence against civilians in Gaza and disarm “without delay” as the militant group reasserts itself by deploying security forces and executing those it deems collaborators with Israel.

Hamas, which has not publicly committed to disarming and ceding power, has gradually sent its men back into the streets of Gaza since the ceasefire began on Oct 10. 

It has killed more than 30 members of “a gang” in Gaza City, a Palestinian security source said on Oct 13, without identifying the gang involved. Hamas has

cited crime and security concerns for its actions

as thousands of Palestinians return to the enclave’s shattered north.

“We strongly urge Hamas to immediately suspend violence and shooting at innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza,” Commander Brad Cooper, head of the US military’s Central Command, said in a statement.

Mixed messages from the US

Admiral Cooper asked the militant group to fully stand down, “strictly” adhere to Mr Trump's Gaza plan, and put down its weapons without delay.    

“We have conveyed our concerns to the mediators who agreed to work with us to enforce the peace and protect innocent Gaza civilians,” Adm Cooper said.

The security crackdown by the militant group came after Mr Trump suggested Hamas had been given a temporary green light to police Gaza.

Speaking to reporters on Sept 14, he said Hamas had killed "a number of gang members”, which he said did not bother him. 

Mr Trump's plan foresees Hamas out of power in a demilitarised Gaza run by a Palestinian committee under international supervision. It calls for the deployment of an international stabilisation mission that will train and support a Palestinian police force.

Led by Central Command, the US is expected to deploy up to 200 troops to Israel to help with stabilisation efforts in Gaza. However, no Americans are expected to be deployed into the Palestinian enclave. REUTERS

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