US President Donald Trump suggested that the leadership of Hamas was not responsible for the recent death of Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in southern Gaza.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on October 19, Trump attributed the attack to “some rebels within” the movement.

Trump stated clearly: “either way, it’s going to be handled properly. It’s going to be handled toughly, but properly.” He expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza would hold and reaffirmed Washington’s intent to maintain stability citing “it’s going to be very peaceful with Hamas.”

IOF confirms two soldiers killed in Gaza

Two Israeli soldiers were killed on Sunday in the southern Gaza Strip, the occupation’s military confirmed. The two soldiers were identified as a Major and a Staff Sergeant, both members of units operating in the south.

The Israeli occupation forces also reported that a reserve soldier from the Gaza Brigade’s combat engineering heavy equipment unit was severely injured during the incident. He was evacuated from the field for medical treatment at a nearby hospital.

The operation comes amid increasing friction and violations of the ceasefire in various areas of the Gaza Strip, particularly in the south, where occupation forces continue field activities.

Earlier today, the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, reaffirmed on Sunday their “full commitment” to implementing the ceasefire agreement across all areas of the Gaza Strip, denying any role or knowledge of recent incidents reported in Rafah.

In an official statement, the group said: “We affirm our complete commitment to implementing everything that has been agreed upon, foremost among them the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip.”