The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is at serious risk, and the consequences could reach far beyond the Middle East. On Wednesday, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that the Israeli military will return to full-scale combat if Hamas violates the terms of the recent U.S.-brokered truce. This comes after Hamas returned the remains of two Israeli soldiers killed during the recent conflict in Gaza, a gesture seen as part of the ceasefire deal. But trust between the two sides remains low, and accusations of violations are already flying.
This latest flare-up is part of a much longer struggle. Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group backed by Iran, has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. Israel has fought several wars with Hamas over rocket attacks and cross-border raids. The most recent conflict left hundreds dead and thousands wounded, with civilians on both sides suffering the worst of the violence. President Trump’s administration, working with regional allies, successfully pushed both sides to agree to a ceasefire last week. However, that peace is now looking shaky.
From a national security perspective, the United States cannot afford to ignore what happens next. First, the stability of Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East, is at stake. Israel sits at the front line of a broader regional struggle against Iran and its network of proxy forces. If Hamas resumes attacks, it won’t just be launching rockets into Israeli towns—it will be signaling that Iran’s strategy of using armed militias to destabilize the region is still alive and well.
Second, every time fighting breaks out in Gaza, there’s a risk that the conflict spreads. Hezbollah in Lebanon, another Iranian-backed group, could open a second front. Iran itself may use the chaos to distract from its nuclear ambitions or provoke a broader confrontation. That kind of regional war would threaten U.S. troops in the area, disrupt global oil shipping routes, and potentially drag America into another Middle East conflict.
Third, the longer this conflict drags on, the more it becomes a propaganda tool for extremist groups around the world. Hamas thrives on portraying itself as a resistance force, even while it uses civilians as human shields and fires rockets at population centers. If the ceasefire fails and images of bombed-out neighborhoods flood social media again, it gives anti-American voices a fresh excuse to radicalize young recruits abroad and here at home.
President Trump’s foreign policy team has worked hard to contain these threats. The Abraham Accords, signed during his first term, brought Arab nations like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain into formal peace with Israel. That diplomatic progress could be undone if war resumes and regional tensions boil over. Already, countries like Egypt and Jordan are under pressure from their own populations to distance themselves from peace efforts. A breakdown in communication could isolate Israel and make future diplomacy much harder.
For Americans, this isn’t just about a war thousands of miles away. It’s about whether the United States can protect its allies, contain terrorism, and stop Iran from growing stronger. It’s also a question of whether our enemies believe we have the resolve to back up our words with action. The ceasefire is a test—not just for Israel and Hamas, but for American leadership in a dangerous world.
Israel’s warning is clear: peace is still possible, but it will not come at the cost of its national security. Hamas must decide whether to honor its commitments or risk another war. The United States must be ready to support our ally if that war comes, while continuing to push for a durable peace that keeps Americans—and the world—safe.