Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said on Tuesday that Israel is discussing a reinvasion of Gaza to support anti-Hamas factions after the start of the Trump-backed peace deal.
The discussions come as masked Hamas terrorists executed members of rival Palestinian groups, as seen in video footage.
“As I speak tonight, there are discussions in Israel about potentially going back in to save those tribes and clans that had the guts to stand up against Hamas,” Graham said on Fox News’s Hannity. However, he noted it would be better if the factions stood up to Hamas.
“If the Arab world would be the force to take Hamas down, it would change the region far more than if Israel did it,” he added.
In June, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Jewish state “activated” some armed Palestinian clans to undermine Hamas.
Some clans opposed to the terrorist group include the Popular Forces, the Doghmosh, the al Majayda, and the Hellis. Israel reportedly backs the Popular Forces militia by providing military support. Aid organizations accuse the group of looting humanitarian convoys in Gaza.
Since the Israeli military withdrew from parts of Gaza as part of the peace agreement, Hamas has been looking to take advantage of the newly established peace to flush out its domestic enemies.
Graham hopes the factions can rise to the occasion and topple Hamas from power.
HAMAS EXECUTES RIVALS, CRACKS DOWN ON CIVILIANS IN POST-DEAL GAZA POWER VACUUM
“If Israel has to go back into Gaza to save these people, they will,” Graham said. “To the Arab world, don’t make them do that.”
The Israel-Hamas peace deal remains intact so far after President Donald Trump signed it, although Hamas hasn’t returned all remaining dead hostages yet as agreed. Twenty bodies remain in Gaza.
