The head of the United States Central Command (Centcom), Brad Cooper, “firmly” demanded this Wednesday (15) that Hamas stop violence against civilians in the Gaza Strip and take advantage of the “historic opportunity” to achieve peace by “disarming itself without delay”.
“We firmly demand that Hamas immediately cease violence and shootings against innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza, both in areas controlled by Hamas and those under the protection of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) behind the yellow line,” Cooper wrote on the social network X.
The head of Centcom reported that he communicated his “concerns” to the mediators negotiating in Egypt the implementation of the peace proposal promoted by American President Donald Trump for the Palestinian enclave.
“This is a historic opportunity for peace. Hamas should seize it by ceasing its actions completely, strictly complying with President Trump’s 20-point peace plan and disarming without delay,” he added.
Cooper reiterated that the US remains “very optimistic about the future of peace in the region.”
Videos circulating on social media show the execution of several people in handcuffs in Gaza City amid clashes between Hamas militiamen and local groups accused of collaborating with Israel.
Last week, the head of Centcom accompanied Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, during a visit to the Gaza Strip, coinciding with the beginning of the ceasefire stipulated in the plan.
Trump warned the Palestinian terrorist group on Tuesday that if they do not hand over their weapons, they will be forced to hand them over “quickly” and “by force”.
The ceasefire in Gaza began last Friday, beginning the first phase of Trump’s Gaza proposal, which includes an end to attacks, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, along with the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave.
