The fragile ceasefire in Gaza, already strained by disputes over aid and the return of deceased hostages, faces an unprecedented and dire threat after the United States issued a stunning warning of an “imminent” attack by Hamas targeting Palestinian civilians within the strip.
The extraordinary allegation, released by the US Department of State, raises the specter of a total collapse of the hard-won truce brokered to end the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Intelligence Alarms Sound in Washington
In a statement delivered over the weekend, the State Department declared that it had received “credible reports” suggesting Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, was planning a deliberate assault on its own population.
“The United States has informed the guarantor nations of the Gaza peace agreement of credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza,” the statement read. It went on to warn that such a planned attack against Palestinian civilians “would constitute a direct and grave violation” of the ceasefire agreement and severely undermine international mediation efforts.
While the US did not disclose the specific nature of the planned attack or the source of its intelligence, the warning follows a period of heightened internal security crackdowns in Gaza, with reports of Hamas executing rivals and alleged collaborators in the areas vacated by Israeli forces.
The Breach of Terms and International Response
The US has pointedly informed the key guarantor nations of the truce, including Egypt and Qatar, emphasizing the gravity of the potential violation. The statement also carried a threat of intervention, warning that “Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.”
This is a significant escalation from the US, whose involvement has been central to maintaining the delicate balance of the truce. President Donald Trump has previously signaled a zero-tolerance policy for internal violence that contravenes the spirit of the deal.
Hamas Rejects Allegations Amidst Blame Game
Hamas has vehemently rejected the accusations as “groundless,” asserting that their police forces are merely dealing with rival militias and collaborators “according to clear laws” to protect residents and property. They also accused the US warning of being “consistent with Israeli propaganda” designed to cover for Israel’s own alleged violations.
Indeed, the ceasefire’s stability has been precarious since it took effect:
- Hostage Dispute: Israel has accused Hamas of deliberately delaying the handover of all deceased Israeli hostages, a key provision of the deal. Hamas counters that the retrieval of remains is hampered by the widespread destruction and unexploded ordnance.
- Rafah Crossing: Israel has kept the crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt closed, demanding the swift return of all hostage remains, a move Hamas has labeled a “blatant breach” of the agreement.
- Targeting Civilians: Authorities in Gaza have accused the Israeli military of multiple ceasefire violations, including a deadly incident where a Palestinian family was killed by Israeli fire near a withdrawal boundary known as the “Yellow Line.”
As accusations fly and the details of the US intelligence remain classified, the immediate safety of Gaza’s battered civilian population—and the fate of the entire ceasefire—hangs precariously in the balance. The world watches to see if the fragile diplomatic framework can withstand this latest, and potentially most destructive, internal pressure.