Trump insists Gaza ceasefire intact despite Israeli airstrikes

WASHINGTON (MNTV) — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed concerns that Israel’s latest airstrikes in Gaza could threaten the ongoing ceasefire, saying “nothing’s going to jeopardize that.”

Speaking aboard Air Force One en route from Japan to South Korea, Trump said he was briefed on the Israeli strikes, which followed Israel’s claim that one of its soldiers had been killed by gunfire from Gaza.

“Hamas is a very small part of peace in the Middle East,” he said. “They said they would be good — if they’re good, they’ll be happy. If they’re not good, they’ll be terminated.”

Hamas, however, denied Israel’s accusations of violating the ceasefire, saying no attacks were launched from Gaza and accusing Israel of “fabricating pretexts to justify continued aggression.”

The group warned that Israel’s repeated violations risk undermining the fragile truce.

Rights monitors have noted that Israel has frequently used similar claims in the past to carry out airstrikes during ceasefire periods.

Trump said the peace process was “advancing,” noting that talks were moving into “phase two” of his 20-point Gaza plan, which was launched with the Oct. 10 ceasefire.

The first phase calls for Hamas to release Israeli captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, followed by Gaza’s reconstruction and the creation of a new governing body excluding Hamas.

At least 18 Palestinians were killed Tuesday in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, including in the Shati refugee camp and near the Shifa Medical Complex, marking another breach of the truce.