National security adviser Mike Waltz slammed the Hamas terrorist group’s handling of a conclusive ceasefire deal between it and Israel, stating that it is “absolutely” impacting the deal’s prospects.
Hamas just released the body of hostage Shiri Bibas on Saturday, which came after the group had released the body of an anonymous Gazan woman and claimed it was the body of Bibas, though forensic intelligence later confirmed it was not. Waltz stated that President Donald Trump is “horrified” by Hamas’s “despicable” behavior, adding that his administration will see how exactly these recent actions by the terrorist group might affect ceasefire negotiations in the week to come.
SHIRI BIBAS’S FAMILY SAYS HER BODY WAS RETURNED BY HAMAS, SIX MORE HOSTAGES RELEASED
“Hamas needs to change and change yesterday in how it’s conducting this,” Waltz stated on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. “It’s unacceptable. Not just to the Israelis, but the entire world. And I’ll tell you, the end goal of Hamas cannot and will not be allowed to rule Gaza going forward, and ever do this again is absolutely also in play.”
Waltz also raised the possibility of Hamas’s actions creating an “extension” of the current stage of the ceasefire deal, which is still in its first phase and is set to expire at the start of March. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, stated in an appearance on CNN that such an extension is needed, and that he would be traveling to the region this week to negotiate, noting his trip would be “probably Wednesday.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The national security adviser added that the Trump administration would “certainly entertain” the possibility of Israel destroying Iran’s nuclear program. Waltz stressed that the Middle Eastern country cannot have a nuclear weapon, and “all options are on the table” to prevent this.
Phase two of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas broadly calls for the end of all hostilities, the terrorist group’s permanent removal from governing Gaza, and the release of all remaining living Israeli hostages by Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office said on Sunday that Israel is delaying the delivery of 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.”