Hamas Rejects US Allegations of Imminent Ceasefire Violation, Accuses Washington of Backing Israeli Narrative
The Palestinian group Hamas has sharply rejected allegations from the United States State Department claiming it is planning an imminent attack against civilians in Gaza, calling the accusations “false, misleading, and aligned with Israeli propaganda.”
In a statement released on Sunday, Hamas said Washington’s comments were a deliberate attempt to distort the truth and “provide political cover for Israel’s ongoing crimes and aggression” against Palestinians in Gaza. The group accused the US of echoing Israeli talking points and ignoring what it described as repeated violations of the ceasefire by Israeli forces.
The controversy comes amid fragile efforts to maintain a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which has so far managed to reduce large-scale hostilities but remains tense and vulnerable to collapse.
US Claims of ‘Imminent’ Hamas Attack
In a statement issued late Saturday, the US State Department claimed to have received “credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza.”
The department described the alleged plan as a “direct and grave breach” of the truce, saying such an action would undermine “significant progress achieved through ongoing mediation efforts.” The statement did not provide details about the nature, timing, or source of the reports but warned that the US and its partners were prepared to take “necessary measures” to protect civilians and preserve the ceasefire.
“Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire,” the statement read.
The warning immediately drew strong condemnation from Hamas officials, who said the accusations were “baseless” and part of a broader campaign to justify future Israeli aggression in Gaza.
Hamas Accuses Israel of Sponsoring Chaos in Gaza
Responding to the US statement, Hamas said that rather than planning attacks, it has been working to restore order and stability in Gaza following weeks of internal unrest and external pressure.
“The facts on the ground reveal the exact opposite,” the group’s statement said. “It is the Israeli occupation that has formed, armed, and funded criminal gangs that carried out killings, kidnappings, and theft of aid trucks, targeting Palestinian civilians. They have openly admitted these crimes through media reports and video evidence.”
Hamas added that its police forces, operating with “broad community support,” are carrying out their national duty to pursue those responsible for the violence. It said its security operations were based on “clear legal mechanisms” designed to protect citizens and safeguard public and private property.
The group accused Washington of repeating “the occupation’s misleading narrative” instead of confronting what it described as Israel’s continued violations of the ceasefire deal.
Analysts Say US Remarks Could ‘Fuel Internal Conflict’
The US warning has raised concerns among regional analysts, who view the statement as potentially destabilizing.
Mouin Rabbani, a Palestinian-Dutch political analyst and expert on Middle East affairs, described the US statement as “mind-boggling” and dangerous.
“I think this is really an attempt to stoke civil conflict within the Gaza Strip — to achieve what Israel has failed to achieve militarily,” Rabbani told Al Jazeera. “Israel has already sought to wreak havoc in Gaza by aligning itself with armed gangs and collaborator militias acting as Israeli proxies.”
He argued that Washington’s comments serve to “legitimize” those efforts, calling them an extension of US support for Israeli military operations that have devastated the enclave over the past two years.
“To suggest that this is in any way the United States coming to the defense of those whose genocide it has unconditionally supported just boggles the mind,” he added.
Ongoing Accusations of Ceasefire Violations
Since the US-mediated ceasefire came into effect last week, both Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of breaking the agreement. While large-scale fighting has subsided, sporadic clashes, air raids, and border incidents continue to threaten the truce’s stability.
According to the Gaza Government Media Office, nearly 50 Israeli violations of the ceasefire have been recorded since the agreement took hold. Officials said these incidents have resulted in at least 38 Palestinian deaths and 143 injuries in just a few days.
The office described Israel’s actions as “flagrant and clear violations of the ceasefire and international humanitarian law,” urging the international community to pressure Israel to comply with its commitments.
Israel, for its part, maintains that it has acted within the terms of the truce and has accused Hamas of using the pause to regroup and strengthen its positions.
US Role Under Scrutiny
Observers say the Biden administration faces a growing credibility crisis as it tries to balance its diplomatic engagement with Israel and its stated commitment to protecting Palestinian civilians. Critics argue that the State Department’s recent warning to Hamas could further erode trust between Washington and regional mediators like Egypt and Qatar.
Gershon Baskin, an Israeli-American analyst known for mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in the past, said the US must stay actively involved if the ceasefire is to hold.
“Every agreement between Israelis and Palestinians has been violated in some way,” Baskin said. “If the Americans are serious about making this work, they must be engaged every single day — even several times a day — to ensure that all sides adhere to what was agreed.”
He warned that any perceived bias or lack of transparency from Washington could embolden hardliners on both sides and jeopardize the fragile peace.
Ceasefire’s Fragile Progress
The current truce, brokered by the US with the support of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, was designed to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, facilitate the release of remaining hostages, and create conditions for longer-term peace negotiations.
The agreement followed months of intense violence that left tens of thousands dead, mostly Palestinians, and devastated much of Gaza’s infrastructure.
While the ceasefire brought a temporary respite for civilians, many in Gaza remain skeptical about its durability. Local residents and humanitarian organizations have reported continued shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, as well as intermittent Israeli air activity despite the declared truce.
International organizations, including the United Nations and Red Cross, have called on all parties to show restraint and respect the terms of the ceasefire, warning that renewed fighting could lead to an even greater humanitarian catastrophe.
Calls for Accountability and Peace
In Gaza and across the region, reactions to the US statement have largely reflected deep skepticism about Washington’s intentions. Many Palestinians see the accusations against Hamas as a pretext for further US-backed Israeli military operations.
Hamas reiterated its call for the US to “hold Israel accountable” for what it described as systematic violations of the truce and international law. The group said it remains committed to “protecting the people of Gaza and preserving national unity,” despite what it called ongoing attempts to destabilize the territory.
The dispute underscores how fragile the current ceasefire remains — and how easily diplomatic efforts could unravel amid mistrust, propaganda, and continued violence.
For now, the future of Gaza’s uneasy calm depends on whether mediating nations and international actors can prevent another deadly escalation in a conflict that has already claimed far too many lives.