Trump’s comments come as Israel has criticized Hamas for not abiding by the agreement that it hand over hostages, living and dead, as part of a deal to end the fighting in Gaza.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
President Donald Trump warned Hamas on Wednesday that he would consider approving the resumption of military action in Gaza if Hamas refuses to uphold its end of the ceasefire deal.
The President told CNN that Israeli forces could return to the streets “as soon as I say the word.”
“What’s going on with Hamas – that’ll be straightened out quickly,” the president said in a brief telephone call.
Trump’s comments come as Israel has criticized Hamas for not abiding by the agreement that it hand over hostages, living and dead, as part of a deal to end the fighting in Gaza.
Although all 20 living hostages returned to Israel on Monday, only a fraction of the remains of 28 deceased hostages have arrived.
Of the four that were handed over on Wednesday, one was the remains of a Palestinian who assisted Israel, and not a hostage.
The delay in sending the remains has angered Israel and authorities have told the UN that humanitarian aid shipments expected to be allowed into Gaza will be reduced or delayed because Hamas is not adhering to the terms of the agreement.
However, so far, the tenuous ceasefire has held.
Point 4 of Trump’s 20-point peace plan stated, “Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.”
Four to five more bodies are expected to be returned on Wednesday evening, a source familiar with the matter told CNN on Wednesday.
Trump told CNN that right now, Hamas is “going in and clearing out the gangs, violent gangs.”
“I’m doing research on it,” he said when asked if it was possible that Hamas was executing innocent Palestinians. “We’ll find out about it. It could be gangs plus,” he said.
Point 6 of the president’s 20-point peace plan states, “Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. M
Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.”
However, some Hamas officials have insisted the terror group will not disarm, which indicates that there will be challenges ahead in adhering to the 20-point plan.
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