FEARS of more horror in Gaza spiralled as Hamas leaders pledged to ignore Donald Trump’s peace plea and fight on.
The terror group’s fanatical Islamist troops holed up in Gaza City signalled they want to be martyred in a bloody last stand against Israeli forces surrounding them.
APHamas’s top ranking leader left in Gaza said Trump’s plan ‘serves Israel’s interests’[/caption]
GettyIt’s feared the fighting and destruction in Gaza will continue[/caption]
White HouseA map handed out by the White House showing the planned phases of withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip[/caption]
Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the most senior Hamas military commander still in Gaza, told thhe BBC that Trump’s plan “serves Israel’s interests and ignores those of the Palestinian people”.
He said Hamas would not agree to disarmament or the deployment of an international force in Gaza, describing the move as “a new form of occupation”.
On Tuesday, the US president said he would give Hamas three or four days to accept his ultimatum or they would “pay in hell” after Israeli troops were unleashed.
The terror group’s suicidal rejection would trigger an unprecedented Israeli attack with tens of thousands of casualties among Palestinian civilians being used as human shields.
Trump said he would allow Israel’s hawkish premier Benjamin Netanyahu to “do what he has to do” if Hamas blocks his deal – with an onslaught possible by the weekend.
The only glimmer of hope from al-Haddad came in comments reported to have been made to the BBC, which said he was still seeking a “positive approach.”
But fighting continued around Gaza City today as Israeli forces encircling the last Hamas stronghold in the blitzed coastal strip prepared for a decisive last push.
Meanwhile, Greta Thunberg’s flotilla was reportedly encircled by Israeli warships as it nears Gaza.
Activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) complained that one of its lead vessels, Alma, was “aggressively circled” by an Israeli warship for several minutes, and onboard communications were cut off.
However, the flotilla reported it was back on course after the confrontation in the early hours of this morning.
At least 44 ships make up the flotilla which is now making its final approach to Gaza.
David Adler, a Jewish activist on board, wrote on X: “I fear this will be the final letter that I write to you from the Global Sumud Flotilla — now just 120 NM [nautical miles] from the shores of Gaza.
“Last night, several Israeli naval ships menaced our convoy.
“They attacked our vessels, intimidated our crew and disabled our communications.
“We recognise these tactics from previous flotilla missions.
“We know that they are the precursor to what we have long feared: illegal Israeli abduction in international waters.”
Israeli officials have not commented on the claims.
EPAGreta Thunberg’s peace flotilla is nearing Gaza – and claims it was encircled by Israeli warships[/caption]