Trump's threats encourage Israel to not abide by fragile ceasefire: Hamas

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says threats by Donald Trump will encourage Israel to ignore the fragile ceasefire after more than 15 months of war on the besieged Gaza Strip. 

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasim said Thursday that Trump's "last warning" will push Israel to disregard the terms of a ceasefire in place since January 19.

"These threats complicate matters regarding the ceasefire agreement and encourage the occupation to avoid implementing its terms," Qasim said.

He urged the United States, Israel's main benefactor, to pressure Israel to enter the ceasefire's second phase.

The reactions came hours after Trump threatened that there will be "Hell to pay" if Hamas refuses to release all the remaining captives immediately.

Hamas has described Trump’s threats as "worthless," stressing that no Israeli captives will be freed without a deal.

Senior spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said if any threats are to be made, they should be directed at those who refuse to implement the ceasefire deal.

He underscored that the threats not only fail to intimidate them but also further complicate the situation.

Abu Zuhri said Hamas remains committed to the agreement and is determined to continue on this path.

The first phase ended at the weekend after six weeks of relative calm, during which Israeli captives were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners.

Israel wants to extend this phase until mid-April, but Hamas insists on transitioning to the second phase, seen as leading to a lasting ceasefire.

Israel has ramped up its rhetoric and halted the flow of aid into Gaza, prompting several nations and international organizations to warn against using aid as a "political tool."

Trump is notorious for making repeated threats and fiery remarks against Palestinians.

Trump earlier proposed displacing Palestinians from the besieged Gaza Strip to neighboring countries. He unveiled the scheme during a White House news conference in early February with the visiting Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump: Israel to hand over Gaza Strip to US at end of war

US President Donald Trump says Gaza will be “turned over” to the US at the end of the Israeli war on the territory, but that “no soldiers by the US would be needed.”

Trump’s plan has already sparked international condemnation. It has faced resounding rejection among Palestinians, West Asian leaders, and governments around the world.

Israeli minister of military affairs Israel Katz has ordered the regime’s military to prepare a plan that would force the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

Israel media has recently reported that the regime's army plans to resume the Gaza war in the next 10 days.

A recent survey showed that an overwhelming majority of Israelis support proceeding to the second stage of the ceasefire agreement and reject the Israeli prime minister's policy of resuming war against the besieged Gaza Strip.

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