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The US has issued a warning that HAMAS is planning an "imminent" attack on civilians in Gaza.
On Saturday, the State Department reported having "credible information" indicating that the terror group is preparing a new assault against Palestinians, labeling it a "direct and serious violation" of the truce brokered by the US.
The US has cautioned about a looming Hamas assault on civilians in Gaza, breaching the ceasefireCredit: AFP
Gaza remains afflicted by violence during the ceasefire as Hamas aggressively asserts dominanceCredit: AFP
Residents of Gaza have been returning to a devastated enclave with limited aid availableCredit: Getty
The department noted, "If Hamas goes ahead with this attack, measures will be implemented to safeguard the people of Gaza and maintain the ceasefire's integrity."
This alarming warning arises as indications grow that Hamas is unwilling to adhere to the peace agreement it signed last week, which required disarmament, hostage release, and cessation of attacks.
Instead, the group has continued executing Palestinians in public spaces and now faces accusations of preparing new violence against the very population it professes to protect.
President Donald Trump, whose 20-point plan concluded nearly two years of violence, issued a stark warning: "If Hamas persists in killing people in Gaza, which was not part of the deal, we will have no option but to take military action against them."
He later clarified that he would not deploy US military forces.
The State Department's alert follows verified footage showing Hamas gunmen executing eight blindfolded men with their hands bound in front of a crowd.
Hamas stated that the victims were "criminals and collaborators with Israel."
Despite the ceasefire, Hamas has openly targeted rival armed "clans" in Gaza to reassert control.
Crucially, it has refused to relinquish its weapons – another breach of the agreement.
Hamas officials assert that their forces are attempting to "restore law and order" in areas vacated by Israeli troops.
Interior Ministry forces have engaged in clashes with armed groups accused of looting aid and collaborating with Israel, executing several suspects publicly in widely condemned actions.
Two More Bodies Returned
As fears of a new Hamas atrocity escalated, the terror group returned the bodies of two additional Israeli hostages on Saturday night.
The remains, transferred through the Red Cross, have yet to be officially identified.
This brings the total number of bodies returned to 12 out of 28 promised under the ceasefire agreement.
Previously, Hamas returned the body of 75-year-old Eliyahu Margalit, described by his family as "a cowboy at heart," 742 days after he was kidnapped and killed during the attacks on October 7.
His family stated: "Our cherished Eli has come home... and we will not cease our efforts until every last hostage is returned for burial in Israel."
On Sunday, Israel identified one of the two newly returned bodies as Ronen Engel, 54, who was killed while defending his family in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7.
His wife, Karina, and two of his three children were abducted and released in November 2023.
Ronen Engel, who was abducted by Hamas terrorists and taken to Gaza on October 7Credit: AP
