Trump hails Israel-Hamas ceasefire as ‘very solid’
President Trump said in an interview that aired on Sunday that the ceasefire brokered by his administration between Israel and Hamas is in solid shape.
“It’s not fragile. It’s a very solid,” Trump told CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell on “60 Minutes.”
“I mean, you hear about Hamas, but Hamas could be taken out immediately if they don’t behave. They know that. If they don’t behave they’re gonna be taken out immediately,” he continued.
When asked how he would get Hamas to disarm, he “would get them to disarm very quickly.”
Trump’s comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the bodies of three deceased hostages had been handed over from Gaza. Prior to the handover on Sunday, the bodies of 11 deceased hostages were reportedly still in Gaza, after Hamas released the remains of 17 hostages since the ceasefire went into effect in October, according to the Associated Press.
Hamas’ slow release of the bodies has threatened the ceasefire, with Israel urging the group to release them more quickly. The militant group, in turn, has said the devastation from the war and a lack of access to DNA kits has hindered the process of returning the bodies.
While the ceasefire has held between Israel and Hamas, there have been interruptions. According to the Associated Press, which cited figures from the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli military air strikes left 46 children dead among 104 people in total last week.
“Following a series of strikes, in which dozens of terror targets and terrorists were struck, the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] has begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire in response to Hamas’ violations,” the IDF said in a post on X on Wednesday.
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