Middle East allies ready to ‘straighten out Hamas’ if asked: Trump

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that allied nations in the Middle East were prepared to send troops into Gaza to confront Hamas if the group did not cease its alleged violations of his peace plan.

On the other hand, CBS, citing sources familiar with the matter, said on Tuesday that Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman plan to meet at the White House on November 18.

Read more: Trump expects expansion of Abraham accords soon

“Numerous of our NOW GREAT ALLIES in the Middle East, and areas surrounding the Middle East, have explicitly and strongly, with great enthusiasm, informed me that they would welcome the opportunity, at my request, to go into GAZA with a heavy force and ‘straighten our (sic) Hamas’ if Hamas continues to act badly, in violation of their agreement with us,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

FAST, FURIOUS, BRUTAL

The US president went on to say, “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… TO EVERYONE, thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Read more: After war, Israel must ‘find a way to help’ Palestinians: Kushner

The emphasis on “GREAT ALLIES in the Middle East, and areas surrounding the Middle East” means the countries Trump is referring to are not just the Arab states.

Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the Gaza peace plan envisaged deploying a peace force — “temporary international stabilization force” — in Palestine and Indonesia had offered contributing a 20,000-strong contingent for the purpose.

Read more: Palestine policy unchanged, decision on sending force to be made: Dar

And on Tuesday, Trump especially thanked “the great and powerful country of Indonesia, and its wonderful leader, for all the help they given shown and given to the Middle East and the USA”.

The post came as US Vice President JD Vance visited Israel with two other top Trump envoys, seeking to shore up the peace plan after weekend violence in Gaza raised fears the truce could quickly collapse.