The U.S. military's Middle East command on Wednesday called on Hamas to stop its violence against civilians in Gaza and disarm "without delay" as the terrorist group reasserts itself by deploying security forces and executing those it deems collaborators with Israel.
Hamas, which has not publicly committed to disarming and ceding power, has gradually sent its men back into the streets of Gaza since the ceasefire began on Friday. It has killed more than 30 members of "a gang" in Gaza City, a Palestinian security source said on Monday, without identifying the gang involved. Hamas has cited crime and security concerns for its actions as thousands of Palestinians return to the enclave's shattered north.
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US CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper (right) and IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amir Baram
(Photo: IDF)
"We strongly urge Hamas to immediately suspend violence and shooting at innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza," Commander Brad Cooper, head of the U.S. military's CENTCOM, said in a statement.
Mixed message from US
Cooper asked the terrorist group to fully stand down, "strictly" adhere to U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza plan, and put down its weapons without delay.
"We have conveyed our concerns to the mediators who agreed to work with us to enforce the peace and protect innocent Gaza civilians," he said.
The security crackdown by the terrorist group came after Trump suggested Hamas had been given a temporary green light to police Gaza.
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US President Donald Trump; Hamas executes rival militia members in the street hours after hostage release
(Photo: AP / Carlos Osorio)
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump said Hamas had killed "a number of gang members," which he said did not bother him.
Trump's plan foresees Hamas out of power in a demilitarized Gaza run by a Palestinian committee under international supervision. It calls for the deployment of an international stabilization mission that will train and support a Palestinian police force. Led by CENTCOM, the U.S. is expected to deploy up to 200 troops to Israel to help with stabilization efforts in Gaza. However, no Americans are expected to be deployed into the Palestinian enclave.