Washington : President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza remains in place, even after renewed violence that left dozens dead. He reaffirmed the United States’ support for Israel’s right to respond if attacked, saying the country “should hit back” when provoked.
Trump made the remarks following reports that an Israeli soldier was killed in a recent clash, prompting Israeli airstrikes that, according to Gaza health officials, killed at least 26 people. Despite the surge in violence, Trump insisted that the ceasefire “still holds” and that “nothing will jeopardize it.”
The ceasefire, brokered earlier this month with U.S. support, brought an end to nearly two years of hostilities that began with the 2023 Hamas attacks on southern Israel. It was designed to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and to pave the way for reconstruction and hostage exchanges.
However, tensions have quickly resurfaced. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of breaching the agreement and ordered what he called “powerful attacks” in response. Hamas, meanwhile, denied carrying out the attack that killed the Israeli soldier and accused Israel of violating the truce through unprovoked airstrikes.
The fragile peace is further complicated by disputes over the handling of hostage remains. Hamas recently delayed the handover of several bodies, claiming Israel had violated key terms of the ceasefire. The incident has become a flashpoint in ongoing negotiations and a potential threat to maintaining calm.
Trump’s backing of Israel’s right to defend itself has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters argue it reinforces Israel’s deterrence, while critics warn that such statements could encourage further escalation and undermine diplomatic efforts to sustain the ceasefire.
International observers say the situation remains delicate, with no agreed-upon monitoring force to oversee compliance. Without stronger enforcement and restraint on both sides, analysts warn that the truce could collapse, reigniting a broader conflict.
For now, both Israel and Hamas claim to support the ceasefire in principle, but the cycle of retaliation has already put its future in doubt.