With Gaza peace deal appearing shaky, President Trump warns that IDF could ‘return to those streets’

U.S. President Donald Trump told CNN Wednesday that he would consider allowing Israel to resume its war against Hamas it the terror group does not fulfill its obligations under the Gaza ceasefire plan. 

Trump’s statement comes as doubts are beginning to rise for many in the region over the past the feasibility of Trump’s Gaza peace plan. 

The plan which Trump unveiled last week, and which was signed by many regional leaders at a summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, called for the disarming of the terror group Hamas.

However, mere hours after Israeli forces withdrew to the agreed upon line, Hamas began intense efforts to reestablish itself in areas vacated by the IDF. 

In the last couple days, videos leaked out of Gaza showed Hamas violently executing men associated with rival militias, or those accused of collaborating with Israel during the war. 

President Trump was initially dismissive of the reports, referring to them as policing efforts, and telling reporters, ““They [Hamas] do want to stop the problems. They’ve been open about it and we gave them approval for a period of time.” 

However, analysts and even Palestinian rights groups have said that what is happening is not a policing action, but Hamas attempting to reinforce its rule over the Gaza Strip by killing members of groups which have challenged its authority. 

When CNN asked President Trump about the Hamas crackdowns in the phone call on Wednesday, he responded, “What’s going on with Hamas – that’ll be straightened out quickly.” 

He also claimed that Hamas is “going in and clearing out the gangs, violent gangs.” Asked if its possible that Hamas was executing innocent Palestinians, the president said, “I’m doing research on it.” 

“We’ll find out about it. It could be gangs plus,” he added. 

The U.S. news channel also asked President Trump what he intends to do if Hamas refuses to disarm. 

“I think about it,” Trump responded. “Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word. If Israel could go in and knock the crap out of them, they’d do that.”

He also suggested that he had to restrain Israel as part of the ceasefire agreement. “I had to hold them back,” Trump said. “I had it out with Bibi.” 

On Tuesday, ABC News White House Correspondent Karen Travers asked President Trump how long it would take to disarm Hamas. 

"Well, they’re going to disarm, and because they said they were going to disarm. And if they don't disarm, we will disarm them," Trump responded. 

Pressed for specifics on how that would happen, Trump answered, “I don't have to explain that to you, but if they don't disarm, we will disarm them. They know I'm not playing games, okay. ... And if they don't disarm, we will disarm them, and it'll happen quickly and perhaps violently. But they will disarm. Do you understand me?” 

On Wednesday evening, a Trump adviser told reporters that the situation in Gaza is “a very complex dynamic.” 

“A lot of the people — even on the Hamas side — are fearful of retribution from other people inside Gaza,” the adviser said. He also said that several plans for demilitarizing Gaza are being discussed, while affirming that “no rebuilding money will go into areas that Hamas controls.” 

In the meantime, both Israel and the United States are working to establish a safe zone for Palestinian civilians in territory still held by the IDF, The Times of Israel reports. 

The news site claims the effort is a response to the Hamas executions. 

A Trump adviser told reporters on Wednesday evening that “The US working with Israel to try and create some space in the safe zone behind the Yellow Line for people who feel [under] threat.” 

“This is in response to the reports we’ve been seeing of Hamas executing rivals,”  the adviser admitted. 

Israeli media reported late Wednesday evening that Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to prepare a plan for the comprehensive defeat of Hamas in case the group refuses to disarm. 

"If the agreement is not implemented, Israel, in coordination with the United States, will return to fighting and work to completely defeat Hamas and change the reality in Gaza and achieve all the goals of the war,” a statement from Katz’s office said.