Trump Warns 'Hamas': Israeli Forces May Resume Fighting 'At My Command'

SadaNews - On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would consider allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume military operations in Gaza if the Hamas movement refuses to adhere to a ceasefire agreement.

Trump told CNN that Israeli forces could return to the streets "as soon as I say the word."

In a brief phone call, the president said, "What is happening with (Hamas) - will be corrected quickly."

Trump's comments come at a time when Israel is accusing Hamas, which the U.S. government has designated as a terrorist organization, of failing to comply with a hostage release agreement as part of a deal to end fighting in Gaza.

The fourth point of Trump's 20-point peace plan states that "within 72 hours of Israel's public acceptance of this agreement, all hostages, both alive and deceased, will be returned." As of Wednesday morning, all 20 living Israeli hostages had been returned to Israel. However, Hamas has only handed over the bodies of 10 people, and the Israeli army has stated that one of them is not that of an Israeli hostage.

Trump had previously warned that "Hamas must disarm or we will disarm them."

Trump's plan for Gaza addresses a future where Hamas agrees to play no role in governing Gaza, which will be disarmed and under independent oversight according to the plan. However, the U.S. administration acknowledged that it still needs to do more to resolve the future of Gaza, and the agreement that led to the release of hostages is merely the first step.

The sixth point of President Trump's peace plan stipulates that "once all hostages are returned, members of Hamas who commit to peaceful coexistence and disarmament will be granted amnesty. A safe passage will be provided for Hamas members wishing to leave Gaza to receiving countries."

CNN asked Trump, "What will happen if Hamas refuses to disarm?" Trump replied, "I am thinking about it. Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word."

The American president spoke about the Israeli army and Netanyahu's administration: "I had to rein them in. I discussed it with Bibi."