U.S. Warns of “Imminent” Hamas Attack in Gaza, Calls It a Direct Violation of Ceasefire Agreement
The United States has issued a grave warning, saying it has obtained credible intelligence that Hamas is preparing an imminent attack targeting civilians in Gaza. According to the U.S. State Department, such an act would represent a “direct and serious breach” of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that has brought relative calm to the region in recent weeks.
In a strongly worded statement released late Friday, the State Department said any renewed violence would undermine the significant diplomatic progress made through mediation efforts led by Washington, alongside regional partners including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
“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 warned.
The U.S. did not provide specific details about the alleged plot, but the language of the announcement underscored Washington’s growing concern about the fragility of the Gaza peace deal and Hamas’s ongoing military presence despite the truce.
Hamas Denies Allegations, Accuses Israel of Sabotage
Hamas swiftly denied the U.S. accusation, calling it “completely baseless.” In a counterstatement, the group accused Israel of orchestrating the claims to justify future attacks or to weaken Hamas’s control in the Gaza Strip.
A Hamas spokesperson insisted that the group was focused on maintaining internal stability and combating what it called “Israeli-backed criminal gangs” operating in parts of Gaza. The militant organization has been trying to reassert control amid a power vacuum left by Israel’s partial withdrawal under the first phase of the Trump-brokered ceasefire plan.
Local sources in Gaza say Hamas has recalled about 7,000 security personnel to restore order and confront armed factions that have recently challenged its authority. These groups, including Abu Shabab’s Popular Forces, have clashed with Hamas security units in recent days, sparking fears of renewed internal conflict.
Clashes and Escalating Tensions in Gaza City
Last week, fierce fighting erupted between Hamas security forces and armed members of the powerful Dughmush family in Gaza City. The confrontation left 27 people dead, marking one of the most violent internal episodes since the end of major Israeli operations in the enclave earlier this year.
The clashes, verified through multiple video sources by BBC Verify, included disturbing footage of a public execution carried out by Hamas gunmen — a chilling reminder of the volatility still gripping the region.
Despite the ceasefire, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue to occupy and control roughly 50% of the Gaza Strip, having withdrawn to the so-called “Yellow Line” under Phase 1 of the Trump peace framework. Reports suggest that armed gangs and looters have taken advantage of the limited governance in certain eastern areas, allegedly raiding aid convoys and moving freely with little interference.
Trump Issues Fresh Warning to Hamas
President Donald Trump reiterated his hardline stance toward Hamas earlier this week, posting a blunt warning on Truth Social:
“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza — which was not the Deal — we will have no choice but to go in and kill them.”
The president later clarified that the United States has no plans to deploy U.S. troops into Gaza, emphasizing instead that diplomatic and “other necessary measures” would be taken to maintain the ceasefire.
Trump’s ceasefire framework — a 20-point agreement — outlines conditions under which Hamas must gradually relinquish its weapons and halt all military operations against Israel. In return, Israel agreed to a partial withdrawal and the release of Palestinian prisoners, while maintaining control over key border zones.
So far, Hamas has not disarmed. In its latest statement, it claimed its police forces, “with broad popular support,” are acting within their national duty to pursue criminal gangs and protect public order — not to violate the ceasefire.
The Fragile Ceasefire Under Strain
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire, supported by several regional powers, remains in its first phase. As part of the agreement, all living Israeli hostages captured during the 2023 Hamas-led attack have been released, while the bodies of deceased captives are still being repatriated to Israel.
In return, Israel has freed 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza — a move Washington has described as a “vital step toward humanitarian rebuilding.”
Despite these achievements, both sides continue to accuse one another of violating the ceasefire terms. While no major escalation has occurred, tensions remain high. Hamas insists it is fulfilling its obligations, while Israeli officials accuse the group of rearming and reinforcing its positions in defiance of the peace framework.
U.S. and Regional Mediators on Alert
The U.S. State Department confirmed it has alerted all guarantors of the Gaza ceasefire — including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey — about the alleged Hamas plot. Officials said Washington expects regional partners to use their leverage to ensure Hamas’s compliance and to prevent the deal from collapsing.
One critical clause of the ceasefire mandates that all signatories, including Hamas and its affiliates, pose no threat to civilians or neighboring states. Any attack, even against rival groups within Gaza, could technically qualify as a ceasefire violation under international law.
Diplomatic sources told U.S. media that intelligence-sharing between the U.S., Egypt, and Israel has intensified in recent days amid fears of renewed violence. “There’s growing anxiety that the ceasefire could unravel if Hamas doesn’t control its internal factions,” one official said.
Humanitarian Situation Still Dire
Even as diplomatic efforts continue, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 68,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the war began in October 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a devastating attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages being taken.
The United Nations continues to treat the Gaza health ministry’s casualty figures as credible, though independent verification remains difficult due to restricted access for foreign journalists and aid agencies.
UN officials have warned that millions of displaced Gazans still face shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. Infrastructure across much of the enclave lies in ruins, and reconstruction has been painfully slow under ongoing Israeli restrictions and political instability.
Fragile Peace and Uncertain Future
As the U.S. and its partners work to preserve the ceasefire, experts warn that any new outbreak of violence could destroy what little trust remains between the warring sides. Analysts say Hamas’s internal conflicts, combined with external pressure from Israel and the U.S., make the situation highly unpredictable.
“The Gaza ceasefire is balancing on a knife’s edge,” said a regional analyst at the Brookings Doha Center. “If either side acts rashly — or if internal factions within Hamas defy orders — we could see a total breakdown of the deal within days.”
Despite these fears, Washington insists the peace framework is still holding — for now. “The first phase of the deal is being honored,” a senior U.S. official told reporters. “But we need continued restraint, continued dialogue, and a commitment from all parties to protect innocent lives.”
For ordinary Gazans, though, the ceasefire remains a fragile lifeline — one that could be shattered at any moment by political missteps or another outbreak of violence.