US President Donald Trump has expressed full support for Israel’s renewed air and ground operations in Gaza, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday, placing the blame squarely on Hamas for the ongoing violence.
“He fully supports Israel and the IDF and the actions that they’ve taken in recent days,” Leavitt told reporters when asked if the US was working to reinstate a ceasefire.
She reiterated Trump’s stance that Hamas was responsible for the escalation, stating, “The president made it very clear to Hamas that if they did not release all of the hostages, there would be all hell to pay, and unfortunately, Hamas chose to play games in the media with lives.”
Leavitt further emphasised that the situation was “completely the fault of Hamas” due to their October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
She added that Trump remains committed to securing the release of all hostages taken by Palestinian militants.
The renewed Israeli assault on Gaza has so far resulted in the deaths of 504 people, including more than 190 children, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.
The Israeli military resumed its air campaign early Tuesday, breaking the ceasefire that had been in place since January 19.
In response to the escalating death toll, Hamas launched rockets at Tel Aviv on Thursday, marking its first military retaliation since the renewed Israeli offensive.
Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its ground operations, closing off the territory’s main north-south route.
