Trump: Gaza Ceasefire Still Holding Despite Hamas Violations and Israeli Retaliation
President Donald Trump said Sunday night that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza is still intact, despite deadly skirmishes over the weekend that saw Hamas terrorists kill two Israeli soldiers and the Israel Defense Forces respond with airstrikes.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged the volatility of the situation but expressed cautious optimism that the broader truce remains in effect.
“We’re going to have to see what’s happening,” Trump said. “We want to make sure that it’s going to be very peaceful with Hamas and as you know, they’ve been quite rambunctious. They’ve been doing some shooting and we think maybe the leadership isn’t involved in that. You know, some rebels within, but either way, it’s going to be handled properly. It’s going to be handled toughly but properly.”
The president stopped short of outright condemning Israel’s response, saying he’d “have to get back” to reporters when asked whether the strikes were justified.
The IDF confirmed that Hamas terrorists launched anti-tank missiles and small arms fire at Israeli troops operating in Rafah. The soldiers were reportedly working to dismantle terrorist infrastructure when the attack occurred. In response, Israel launched targeted strikes on Hamas assets in southern Gaza.
“These terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement,” the IDF said in a statement. “The IDF will respond firmly.”
According to Israeli military sources, the counter-strikes hit weapons storage sites, firing positions, terrorist cells, and about six kilometers of tunnel infrastructure used by Hamas.
Vice President JD Vance addressed the situation as well, saying the ceasefire was always expected to be shaky in the early days.
“When we talk about Hamas, you’re talking about 40 different cells. It’s disjointed,” Vance said Sunday. “Some of those cells will probably honor the ceasefire. Many of those cells, as we saw some evidence of today, will not.”
Vance also emphasized the need for regional support to maintain stability.
“Before we can ensure that Hamas is properly disarmed, it’s going to require, as we know, some of these Gulf Arab states to get forces in there to apply law and order and some security keeping on the ground.”
He called the current phase of the ceasefire one of “fits and starts,” where violations from rogue elements would be met with swift but measured responses from Israel.
Trump’s remarks echo his administration’s broader message in the wake of the historic peace agreement earlier this month, brokered by the U.S. between Israel and Hamas. The deal, part of Trump’s 20-point Middle East peace plan, has resulted in the release of hostages, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and efforts to stabilize the region with international support.
Despite the flare-ups, administration officials say they are confident that the framework of the ceasefire remains intact and that continued enforcement mechanisms are in place to prevent escalation.