Trump says Hamas’ ceasefire breaches ‘will be taken care of quickly,’ threatens to destroy terror group

Trump said he had not instructed Israel to resume strikes in Gaza, adding that the US was “taking lots of steps to maintain the ceasefire.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Hamas’ latest breach of the Gaza ceasefire “would be taken care of quickly,” signaling that Washington’s patience with the terror group is running thin.

“They’re going to be nice, and if they’re not, we’re going to eradicate them if we have to,” Trump told reporters before a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “They’ll be eradicated — and they know that.”

Trump said he had not instructed Israel to resume strikes in Gaza, adding that the US was “taking lots of steps to maintain the ceasefire.”

His remarks came as the administration prepares for a new round of talks aimed at advancing the next stage of his 20-point Gaza peace plan.

US Vice President JD Vance is expected to arrive in Israel on Tuesday, joining Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner for meetings with Israeli officials.

The delegation will focus on transitioning to phase two of the plan, which outlines a framework for Gaza’s postwar governance and reconstruction.

According to senior Israeli officials, no negotiations on the second phase will begin until Hamas returns the bodies of all kidnapped soldiers still held in Gaza.

On Monday, the ceasefire remained largely intact, though the IDF reported opening fire on terror operatives who crossed the ceasefire line in eastern Gaza City and posed an “immediate threat” to Israeli troops.

Palestinian media said two people were killed in the Shejaiya neighborhood during two separate incidents.

The violence followed Sunday’s deadly attack in Rafah, where Hamas terrorists killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded several others in Rafah.

The group later claimed the perpetrators acted independently, calling them rogue elements.

Meanwhile, Witkoff and Kushner met Monday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss regional developments and ongoing efforts to stabilize the truce.

Israeli officials said the discussions were part of Washington’s coordinated push to prevent further escalation as the ceasefire moves into a critical stage.

The Israel Airports Authority said road closures and limited flight delays are expected during Vance’s arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday.