National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has dismissed the recent mishandling of hostage remains by Hamas as a critique of former President Donald Trump.
The incident occurred amidst a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, which has been in effect for five weeks and is set to conclude on March 2. As part of this agreement, 29 living hostages were successfully returned to Israel.
According to The Washington Examiner, the Islamic Resistance Movement, known as Hamas, mistakenly sent the remains of an unidentified woman, initially claiming them to be those of Shiri Bibas. This error was discovered through forensic intelligence. Prior to this, Hamas had returned the bodies of Bibas's two children, Ariel and Kfir, along with another hostage, Oded Lifschitz. It was not until Saturday that Bibas's actual remains were returned to Israel.
During an appearance on Fox & Friends, Fox News host Lawrence Jones questioned Waltz about whether this blunder indicated a lack of regard for the U.S. president by Hamas. Waltz responded, "Hamas has listened to the president. Twenty-nine hostages are alive today and reunited with their families because the whole world listened when President Trump said there will be all hell to pay after the Biden administration couldnt get this done for 15 months. So, absolutely, they are. Theyre afraid of President Trump. Period. Thats why we have seen any movement at all."
Waltz criticized Hamas's actions as "unacceptable," echoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow that Hamas would face the "full price" for their actions. Waltz further remarked that such behavior from Hamas "shouldnt surprise anyone" given their status as "a terrorist organization no different than ISIS."
Despite the ceasefire, Waltz emphasized that Hamas will not maintain control over Gaza. "At the same time, though, Hamas will not rule Gaza. Period. They have a couple of off-ramps that we put on the table. But Hamas will not rule Gaza," he stated. "They will not cause another Oct. 7. And we will work with Israel to make sure that doesnt happen."
In exchange for the return of hostages, Israel agreed to release over 1,500 Palestinians from its prisons, withdraw its forces from populated areas of Gaza, and allow an influx of humanitarian aid into the region. Meanwhile, U.S. negotiators have initiated talks concerning the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
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