Trump Warns Hamas Against Violating Gaza Truce as Vance Heads to Israel

Washington / Tel Aviv, Tuesday — United States President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Hamas, threatening to “eradicate” the group if it breaches its ceasefire agreement with Israel. The warning came as Vice President JD Vance departed for Israel to reinforce the fragile Gaza truce brokered by Washington.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, President Trump emphasised that Hamas must adhere to the terms of the peace accord reached earlier this month.

“We made a deal with Hamas that they’re going to be very good, they’re going to behave, they’re going to be nice,” Trump said.
“If they’re not, we’re going to go and eradicate them. They’ll be eradicated — and they know that.”

Trump’s administration has redoubled diplomatic efforts after renewed violence erupted in Gaza over the weekend, with Israel accusing Hamas of delaying the return of hostages’ bodies and launching attacks that killed two Israeli soldiers.

Vice President JD Vance is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss “the security challenges we face and the diplomatic opportunities before us.”

The ceasefire, implemented on 10 October, includes provisions for hostage-prisoner exchanges and a long-term roadmap for Gaza’s reconstruction. However, its implementation has been fraught with setbacks.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that Hamas must fulfil its commitment to return all the deceased hostages before the ceasefire can be fully enacted.

“We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we return all of the deceased hostages — every last one of them,” the statement read.

Hamas, however, has requested more time and technical assistance to recover and transfer the remaining bodies.

Despite the truce, Israeli forces launched dozens of airstrikes on Sunday, using an estimated 153 tonnes (337,000 pounds) of explosives, following the deaths of two soldiers in southern Gaza.

The Gaza Civil Defence Agency said that several civilians were killed during the renewed airstrikes and gunfire incidents. Israel’s military confirmed firing upon militants attempting to cross the ceasefire line, insisting it was a measured response to aggression.

Netanyahu accused Hamas of a “blatant violation” of the truce — a charge that Hamas has categorically denied, calling Israel’s claims “fabricated pretexts” for resuming hostilities.

Under Trump’s 20-point plan, Israeli troops have withdrawn beyond the so-called “Yellow Line”, a designated boundary leaving Israel in control of roughly half of Gaza, including its border zones, but excluding major urban areas.

Israeli forces, however, have fired warning shots at Palestinians approaching their new positions multiple times since the ceasefire began.

Due to restricted media access and severe damage to infrastructure, independent verification of claims from either side remains extremely difficult.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that following Sunday’s strikes, they had “renewed enforcement of the ceasefire”, while warning they would “respond firmly to any violation”.

Hamas, for its part, denied any involvement in the attacks that triggered Israel’s retaliation, insisting that “rogue elements” or miscommunications could be responsible for isolated incidents.

The United Nations considers the Gaza casualty figures released by the Hamas-run health ministry credible, though the data does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

President Trump reiterated that American forces will not participate in any combat operations against Hamas but noted that Israel would be prepared to act if necessary.

“Israel would go in in two minutes if I asked them to,” he said. “But right now, we haven’t said that. We’re going to give it a little chance.”

The latest escalation underscores how fragile the ceasefire remains, despite high-level diplomatic efforts. With Vice President Vance’s visit expected to reaffirm U.S. commitment to peace, both Washington and Tel Aviv face mounting pressure to ensure that this truce — already tested by bloodshed — does not collapse entirely.

As tensions simmer, Gaza’s battered population remains trapped between political brinkmanship and humanitarian desperation, awaiting proof that peace, not just promises, will prevail.