Khaberni - The US State Department said on Saturday that it has "credible reports" that Hamas is planning an imminent attack against civilians in Gaza, a move Washington considered would constitute "a violation of the ceasefire".
The department clarified in a statement that "this planned attack against Palestinian civilians would constitute a direct and serious violation of the ceasefire agreement and would undermine the significant progress made through mediation efforts".
It added, "If Hamas proceeds with this attack, necessary actions will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and maintain the ceasefire".
The statement did not specify what actions would be taken, but this week, US President Donald Trump threatened to "kill" Hamas elements if the group continued "killing people in Gaza".
Trump said on his Truth Social platform, "If Hamas continues killing people in Gaza, which was not part of the agreement, we will have no choice but to go in (to the sector) and kill them," without clarifying who would enter to kill them.
Hamas and Israel reached an agreement under which Israel would end its military aggression on Gaza in exchange for the release of detainees captured by Hamas during its attack on October 7, 2023, on Palestinian territories occupied by Israel.
The agreement stipulates the release of all detainees, alive and deceased, after 72 hours from the start of the ceasefire.
Washington said it had informed the guarantors of the agreement, which include the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, of "the imminent violation of the ceasefire by Hamas".
