US President Trump Defends Israel’s Fresh Strikes On Gaza Amid Shaky Ceasefire

The United States President, Donald Trump, has defended Israel’s renewed strikes in Gaza, saying the country has the right to respond to attacks on its soldiers.

“As I understand it, they took out an Israeli soldier,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday as quoted by RT.

“They killed an Israeli soldier. So the Israelis hit back – and they should hit back. When that happens, they should hit back.”

Trump emphasised that the ceasefire, brokered by the US, is still holding. “Nothing is going to jeopardise” the ceasefire, he said, adding that Hamas must “behave” or face consequences.

“Hamas is a very small part of peace in the Middle East, and they have to behave,” Trump stated. “If they’re not good, they will be terminated.”

US Vice President J.D. Vance echoed Trump’s sentiments, saying the ceasefire is holding despite “little skirmishes here and there.”

The Israeli strikes have resulted in at least 30 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run government.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), last week two of its soldiers were attacked and killed by Hamas in Rafah, southern Gaza, and more soldiers came under fire in the same area on Tuesday.

Hamas has denied involvement in the attacks on Israeli soldiers, accusing Israel of ceasefire violations.

The Palestinian group warned that the escalation will delay recovering and returning the bodies of the 13 remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza.

Israeli officials earlier accused Hamas of dragging its feet in handing over all the remains, as agreed under the ceasefire mediated by the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, which took effect on October 10.