Tokyo [Japan], October 29 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Wednesday asserted that nothing would undermine the fragile Gaza ceasefire he brokered a few weeks ago, even after Israel launched deadly airstrikes in the enclave on Tuesday, killing over 30 people in response to the alleged killing of an Israeli soldier.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump justified Israel’s retaliation, saying that Israel had the right to defend itself.
“They killed an Israeli soldier. So, the Israelis hit back, and they should hit back. When that happens, they should hit,” the US President said during the gaggle en route to South Korea.
When asked whether the Israeli action risked jeopardizing the ceasefire, Trump replied flatly, “Nothing is going to jeopardize that.”
The President downplayed Hamas’s role in the broader peace process, calling the group “a very small part of peace in the Middle East” and warning that its members would face severe consequences if they failed to comply with ceasefire terms.
“You have to understand, Hamas is a very small part of peace in the Middle East, and they have to behave. They’re on the rough side, but they said they would be good, and if they’re good, they’re going to be happy. And if they’re not good, they’re going to be terminated. Their lives will be terminated. And they understand that. And we have many countries that are willing to do that,” Trump stated.
His remarks came hours after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes in the region, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s directive to “immediately carry out forceful strikes in the Gaza Strip,” according to a statement from his office.
“Following security consultations, Prime Minister Netanyahu has directed the military to immediately carry out forceful strikes in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli PMO stated.
As reported by CNN, Israel informed the US about its decision to carry out strikes in Gaza. A military official said Hamas militants had attacked Israeli forces east of the so-called yellow line, which demarcates the Israeli-occupied part of Gaza from the rest of the enclave. The troops stationed in the Rafah area reportedly came under rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and sniper fire, CNN reported.
Following the assault, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Hamas would pay a “heavy price” for targeting Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel. “Israel will respond with great force,” Katz said.
According to the IDF, at least 30 people were killed in the strike “in which dozens of terror targets and terrorists were struck.” Israel also accused Hamas of misidentifying the remains of the most recently returned captive, saying they belonged to an abductee whose body had been recovered two years ago.
Netanyahu said he was considering next steps after Hamas returned the remains of the previously recovered captive, Al Jazeera reported.
Hamas condemned what it described as a “criminal bombardment” by Israel, alleging that it violated the ongoing ceasefire agreement. The group denied responsibility for the attack on Israeli troops but reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the truce, according to CNN. (ANI)
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