Trump says Gaza ceasefire not jeopardized by Israeli airstrikes
09:47, 29/10/2025, WednesdayU: Update: 10:53, 29/10/2025, Wednesday
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U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One for his departure to South Korea, at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2025President Donald Trump has stated that recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza will not jeopardize the ceasefire agreement, while warning Hamas to "behave" or face being "terminated." The comments come after attacks killed at least 68 Palestinians, including strikes near medical facilities and refugee camps.
President Donald Trump has asserted that recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza will not undermine the ceasefire agreement, despite attacks that killed at least 68 Palestinians across the territory. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during his travel from Japan to South Korea, the US president delivered a stark warning to Hamas while expressing confidence in the peace process.
Warning to Hamas and Ceasefire Assurance
When questioned about whether the latest Israeli strikes could jeopardize the Gaza ceasefire, Trump responded unequivocally: "Nothing's going to jeopardize that." He characterized Hamas as "a very small part of peace in the Middle East" and issued a direct warning: "They said they would be good, and if they're good, they're going to be happy, and if they're not good, they're going to be terminated." The president noted that "we have many countries that are willing to do that," suggesting broad international support for potential action against the group.
Regional Involvement and Peace Process Progress
Trump revealed growing international engagement in Middle East stability efforts, mentioning that "even Japan today said they'd love to be involved in the Middle East" during his recent meetings in Tokyo. He confirmed that the ceasefire process continues to advance, stating "We're getting into phase two" in reference to the next stage of his 20-point plan for Gaza. The plan's initial phase, which took effect October 10, included hostage-prisoner exchanges and established frameworks for Gaza's reconstruction and post-war governance.
Recent Violence and Conflict Context
The president's comments followed Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 18 Palestinians on Tuesday, including attacks on the Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City, areas east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, and near the Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City. These incidents occurred against the backdrop of a conflict that has resulted in more than 68,500 fatalities and over 170,000 injuries in Gaza since October 2023, according to Palestinian authorities.