The United States has alerted the guarantor nations of the Gaza peace agreement to “credible reports” that Hamas is preparing an attack against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, which Washington says would amount to a grave breach of the ceasefire.
According to the statement, any such action “would constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts.” The note added that, should Hamas proceed, “measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.” The State Department did not specify the nature of the reports, the timing of any alleged plans, or what protective measures might follow.
The United States conveyed the warning to the foreign capitals that serve as guarantors of the deal, a role established as part of the framework that brought an end to months of active hostilities between Israel and Hamas earlier this month. While the list of guarantor states was not detailed in Saturday’s communication, US and allied outlets reported that Washington has been coordinating closely with regional partners since the truce took effect.
Hamas rejected the US claim on Sunday, describing the allegation as unfounded and politically motivated. The group said it was committed to the ceasefire terms and accused Washington of echoing hostile narratives.
Saturday’s warning followed earlier US briefings and media reporting that the truce—brokered with US involvement—had paused large-scale fighting while opening a pathway for humanitarian relief and the release of hostages. In recent days, the remains of additional Israeli captives were transferred out of Gaza as part of post-ceasefire arrangements.
Washington’s language on Saturday was unusually explicit about a potential violation “against the people of Gaza,” focusing on the risk to Palestinian civilians rather than cross-border fire. The State Department emphasised it remained “resolute in our commitment to ensuring the safety of civilians, maintaining calm on the ground, and advancing peace and prosperity for the people of Gaza and the region as a whole.” The note did not refer to specific incidents or locations within the Strip.
President Donald Trump amplified the warning in public remarks, stating that any attack on civilians would trigger consequences under the ceasefire enforcement arrangements, though the administration has indicated it does not intend to deploy US forces in Gaza. Officials have pointed instead to actions by partners consistent with the guarantor mechanism. Those accounts have not been formally detailed by the State Department.
The ceasefire, in force since early October, has faced competing claims of violations. Gaza’s media office has accused Israel of multiple breaches resulting in casualties, allegations that could not be independently verified and which Israel disputes. The US warning concerning Hamas adds a separate line of concern centred on intra-Gaza violence and the protection of civilians living under the group’s control.
The guarantor system was designed to uphold compliance, provide channels for rapid de-escalation, and support humanitarian access. Analysts have noted that any credible allegation of planned violence against civilians—by any party—tests the robustness of those mechanisms and the willingness of external actors to intervene diplomatically or otherwise to stabilise the truce.
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