US President Donald Trump has warned Hamas that it would be eradicated if it breaches the Gaza deal with Israel but said he would give the Palestinian militant group a chance to honour the truce. Trump told this to reporters at the White House yesterday as he hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Trump has also warned the militant group to stop public executions of rivals and alleged collaborators as it seeks to re-establish its grip on the devastated territory. Trump, however, insisted that American forces would not be involved in confronting Hamas.

 

 

Vice President JD Vance headed to Israel shortly after Trump’s comments, joining two top US envoys after weekend violence threatened to wreck the fragile ceasefire. Trump helped broker the Gaza deal nearly two weeks ago, but it has repeatedly come under threat as Israel accuses Hamas of stalling on handing over dead hostages and of launching attacks. Hamas’s top negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, told Egypt’s Al-Qahera News that the group was still committed to the ceasefire agreement.