The State Department said on Saturday that the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hamas is planning an “imminent” attack on Palestinians in Gaza, potentially violating the terms of its peace deal with Israel about a week after the pact’s agreement.
“This planned attack against Palestinian civilians would constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts,” department officials said in a statement shared on the social platform X.
The statement added that if the attack proceeds, the U.S. will take measures “to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.”
“The United States and the other guarantors remain resolute in our commitment to ensuring the safety of civilians, maintaining calm on the ground, and advancing peace and prosperity for the people of Gaza and the region as a whole,” the statement concluded.
Following the initial phase of a 20-point peace plan agreed to by Israel and Hamas, with the deal itself overseen by President Trump, Hamas has aimed to reassert its control over Gaza with a wave of retribution executions.
The militant group has killed at least 33 people as of Tuesday, when the ceasefire went into effect, according to Reuters.
Trump said on Tuesday that if Hamas did not lay down their weapons, “we will disarm them.” Should Hamas not follow the peace plan, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are allowed to resume military operations in Gaza.
The IDF said on Saturday that two coffins carrying the remains of dead hostages entered Israel. They will be taken to the Ministry of Health’s National Institute for Forensic Medicine for identification.
Hamas told Israel that it was committed to handing over the bodies of 28 hostages. The group has so far returned less than half back to Israel, with one not belonging to any of the dead hostages.
