Trump claims allies offered to ‘straighten out’ Hamas

Donald Trump has claimed US allies in the Middle East have offered to send “heavy force” into Gaza to “straighten out Hamas”.

- MAIRA BUTT

In a post on Truth Social, the US president wrote that unnamed leaders in the region had told him “explicitly and strongly” that they would act against the militant group “if they continue to act badly”. “There is still hope that Hamas will do what is right. If they do not, an end to Hamas will be FAST, FURIOUS, & BRUTAL! I would like to thank all of those countries that called to help,” he wrote.

Mr Trump did not clarify which of the Middle Eastern countries had offered to fight Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and the US have all been involved in diplomatic negotiations but it is unclear whether they will provide military help.

His comments came as his vice-president JD Vance landed in Israel for a two-day visit to try and progress the US ceasefire deal in Gaza. During a press conference, Mr Vance reiterated Mr Trump’s warning on Monday that Hamas must “behave” or face “severe repercussions”.

He threatened that Hamas would be “obliterated” if they did not play ball, although he reiterated there would be no US boots on the ground in Gaza.