The White House/Photo: Depositphotos
The administration of US President Donald Trump has officially expressed its full support for Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt stressed that Hamas is responsible for the escalation of the conflict and that Israel has an absolute right to self-defence.
This was reported by The Times of Israel.
Answering journalists’ questions about the possible resumption of the ceasefire, Leavitt noted that President Trump fully endorses both air strikes and ground operations conducted by the Israeli military.
“The President made it clear that if Hamas does not release the hostages, it will have to pay the price. Unfortunately, Hamas has decided to play games. The president fully supports Israel’s military action in Gaza,” Leavitt said.
Israel’s Operation: Military Pressure or a Path to a Deal?
Israel continues its large-scale military campaign in Gaza, pursuing strategic goals. According to a senior Israeli official, the offensive is not temporary. The main goal is to exert maximum pressure on the Hamas leadership to force it to agree to the release of hostages in accordance with the plan of US Special Representative Steve Witkoff.
According to Maariv, the ultimate goal of the operation is to force Hamas to surrender and release all the hostages it has taken. Israeli authorities believe that the group has two options: either to negotiate or to face further escalation of hostilities.
A warning for Gaza: what is Israel preparing?
Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz has issued a warning to the people of Gaza. He said that the fighting would escalate, and that Hamas was leading the Strip to complete destruction.
“We know who controls Gaza, and we know who is to blame for the current situation,” Katz said. According to him, another evacuation will begin soon, which may indicate preparations for an even larger military phase.
Israeli officials stress that the ultimate goal of the operation is to establish full military control over the Gaza Strip. However, the leadership of the territory will not be transferred to the Palestinian Authority headed by Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen).
What will happen after the war? Israel is preparing a new model for governing Gaza
Instead, governance could be handed over to “moderate Arab elements” who, according to Tel Aviv, will be able to ensure stability in Gaza after the defeat of Hamas.
Escalation or a chance for diplomacy?
The situation in Gaza remains tense, and even Washington’s official support does not guarantee a quick end to the operation. Whether this military pressure will lead to the complete defeat of Hamas, or whether the Israeli authorities will try to use their military advantage for a political settlement, will become clear in the coming weeks.
