U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that Israel could resume its military offensive in Gaza if Hamas fails to comply with the terms of the recently brokered ceasefire.
In a statement delivered during his visit to Israel and Egypt, Trump declared: “Hamas must now choose peace or face the consequences. Israel has the right to defend itself fully if this agreement is broken.” He framed the ceasefire as a final opportunity to avoid renewed conflict, emphasizing that “this is not a pause—it is a promise.”
The ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, marked the first phase of a U.S.-backed initiative aimed at “halting hostilities and facilitating a prisoner exchange.” As part of the agreement, Israel released 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,718 detainees arrested from Gaza following the escalation on October 8, 2023.
In return, Hamas agreed to release all remaining Israeli captives—both living and deceased—and to transfer administrative control of Gaza to a neutral Palestinian body.
While the group accepted key elements of the deal, it rejected the demand to disarm, citing the need for a unified Palestinian strategy and adherence to international law.
Hamas also called for collective decision-making regarding Gaza’s future, warning against unilateral actions that could undermine Palestinian sovereignty.
Trump credited regional actors—including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan—for supporting the plan and facilitating negotiations.
The humanitarian toll of the war remains staggering. Since October 2023, Israeli military offensive—backed by U.S. support—have killed at least 67,913 Palestinians and wounded more than 170,134, the majority of them women and children. Thousands remain trapped under rubble or stranded in inaccessible areas, as rescue teams face ongoing obstruction and bombardment.
Local health authorities and humanitarian organizations stated that famine conditions have claimed additional lives, including scores of children.
More than 10,000 Palestinians remain imprisoned in Israeli facilities, where rights groups have documented widespread abuse, medical neglect, and torture.
Emergency teams in Gaza have urged civilians not to return to border areas, warning that the ceasefire remains fragile and could collapse if negotiations falter. International mediators continue to press both sides to uphold the agreement and pursue a durable resolution.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the fate of Gaza’s ceasefire hangs in the balance—caught between the promise of de-escalation and the threat of renewed devastation.
