Trump’s “Peace” in the Middle East: 78 Hamas Violations and Counting (Judean Rose) ~ Elder Of Ziyon

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Trump’s “Peace” in the Middle East: 78 Hamas Violations and Counting (Judean Rose)

Disclaimer: the views expressed here are the sole responsibility of the author, weekly Judean Rose columnist Varda Meyers Epstein.

President Trump keeps touting the peace he brought to the Middle East. But if this is peace, I’d hate to see war. Though actually, I’ve seen war and I’m still seeing war—because we still have war. Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, there have been 78 Hamas violations of the ceasefire.

Below are the president’s own “peace” claims—grouped by date—asserting or clearly implying that peace now exists in the Middle East.

*October 13, 2025 (remarks released October 14): “At long last, we have peace in the Middle East. And now we’re there.” In the same remarks, Trump also declared, “After years of suffering and bloodshed, the war in Gaza is over.”
*October 16, 2025 (Truth Social): Trump described what he called a “Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East.”
*October 25, 2025 (Truth Social and Air Force One press gaggle): “We have a very strong PEACE in the Middle East,” Trump wrote, adding that it had a good chance of being “EVERLASTING.” Speaking to reporters later that day, he said, “We have peace in the Middle East. That’s what we have. Great peace in the Middle East,” and insisted, “This is real peace.”
*November 10, 2025 (Truth Social): Trump referred to “PEACE in the Middle East” and described it as “the Great Miracle that is taking place in the Middle East.”
*December 1, 2025 (Truth Social): He claimed “SUCCESS, already attained, for PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST!”
*December 11–12, 2025 (White House remarks): Trump stated, “We actually do have a real peace in the Middle East.”
*December 16, 2025 (White House remarks): He said the administration’s goal was to ensure that there “remains … peace in the Middle East.”
*December 18, 2025 (national address): In a national address, Trump said the Gaza truce had “brought peace to the Middle East for the first time in 3,000 years.”

You’d never know the reality on the ground if you tried to Google “Hamas ceasefire violations.” What you get instead is page after page of propaganda about Israel’s supposed violations—Israel’s “pretend” violations—while Hamas malfeasance disappears into a black hole. Seventy-eight instances of such malfeasance, ignored or downplayed, because the media (and apparently Google) are more comfortable amplifying accusations against Israel than confronting what Hamas actually does. They love anyone who murders, rapes, beheads, and burns Jews. Including babies.

So they cover up the truth and peddle lies. That we expect. What is galling is DJT’s continued claims that we have peace. But actually, this too is to be expected. The president wants to have accomplished peace—and yes, he’s a braggart—so he calls it peace even when it isn’t. Boy, would he like to earn that Nobel Peace Prize. Maybe he thinks if he says it enough—peace, peace, peace—the world will be convinced and he’ll get that prize. And if he doesn’t get that prize—which almost assuredly he will not—he’ll say that only because he’s Donald Trump, they won’t give him credit for bringing peace to the Middle East—which he assuredly did not.

Don’t get me wrong—Donald Trump got all but one of our remaining hostages out. For that, the Israeli people are hugely grateful. But this is not peace, and IDF soldiers have still been killed. For their families, there is no peace—also for the rest of Israel. We all know we’re still at war.

For anyone who wants specifics, below is what that “peace” has consisted of since October 10: 78 separate ceasefire violations and hostile incidents, in chronological order:

Oct 13 — Arrow Unit killed 32 Gazans accused of collaborating with Israel (incl. Doghmush clan members).
Oct 14 — Hamas failed to return over half the remaining slain hostages within the required 72 hours (hostage-return breach).
Oct 14 — “Suspects” crossed the Yellow Line (Incident A); IDF opened fire; Gaza health ministry claimed fatalities.
Oct 14 — “Suspects” crossed the Yellow Line (Incident B); IDF opened fire; Gaza health ministry claimed fatalities.
Oct 15 — Hamas returned a body that did not match any hostage (forensics mismatch).
Oct 15 — Hamas publicly executed 8 captives (incl. Doghmush clan members).
Oct 18 — “Suspicious vehicle” crossed the Yellow Line and approached troops; IDF fire; Hamas claimed 11 family members killed.
Oct 19 — Tunnel ambush in Rafah: 2 IDF killed, 3 wounded (Israel called blatant ceasefire violation; Hamas denied responsibility).
Oct 27 — Hamas returned partial remains of a hostage already recovered by IDF (Netanyahu office: “clear violation”).
Oct 28 — Sniper/RPG attack killed 1 IDF soldier in Rafah area (Hamas denied responsibility).
Nov 1 — Hamas handed over 3 bodies claimed as hostages; Israel said none matched any hostage.
Nov 2 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached troops (north Gaza); IAF struck.
Nov 3 — Multiple individuals crossed Yellow Line and advanced toward troops (south Gaza); troops fired.
Nov 3 — Israel assessed ~200 Hamas fighters remained in tunnels within Israeli-controlled southern Gaza (non-withdrawal breach).
Nov 4 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached troops; eliminated.
Nov 5 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line and advanced toward troops (central Gaza) (Incident A); eliminated.
Nov 5 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line and advanced toward troops (central Gaza) (Incident B); eliminated.
Nov 8 — Two terrorists crossed/approached troops (north Gaza); one eliminated.
Nov 8 — Additional terrorist crossed/approached troops; eliminated.
Nov 10 — Two terrorists crossed/approached troops (south Gaza); eliminated.
Nov 11 — Terrorist crossed/approached troops (south Gaza); eliminated.
Nov 12 — Four terrorists identified east of Yellow Line (Rafah); 3 killed.
Nov 12 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached troops (Khan Younis area); eliminated.
Nov 16 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached troops (north Gaza); eliminated.
Nov 17 — Several crossed Yellow Line and buried suspicious objects near IDF forces; one eliminated, others retreated.
Nov 17 — Individual crossed Yellow Line and approached troops; eliminated.
Nov 18 — Two terrorists crossed/approached forces (south Gaza); both eliminated.
Nov 19 — Several terrorists crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (north Gaza); at least one eliminated.
Nov 19 — Terrorists opened fire toward IDF in Khan Younis; IDF called it a ceasefire violation.
Nov 20 — Two terrorists crossed/approached troops (south Gaza); “hit identified,” outcome unspecified.
Nov 21 — ~15 terrorists emerged from underground infrastructure east of Yellow Line in eastern Rafah; later 6 killed, 5 apprehended.
Nov 22 — Armed terrorist fired from a humanitarian access road (IDF video); attacker eliminated.
Nov 22 — IDF said it eliminated 3 terrorists likely linked to prior Rafah tunnel escape attempt.
Nov 22 — IDF said 2 other militants were eliminated in a separate strike (total in that episode reported as five).
Nov 22 — IDF: 2 terrorists crossed Yellow Line and advanced toward troops; eliminated.
Nov 24 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached IDF in Khan Younis; struck by IAF.
Nov 24 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line and approached IDF near Khan Younis; struck by IAF.
Nov 24 — Several terrorists crossed Yellow Line and approached troops (north Gaza); threatened forces.
Nov 24 — Additional terrorists attempted to approach troops in same area; IDF said 2 eliminated total across both Nov 24 northern incidents.
Nov 25 — PIJ delay in transfer of hostage remains (Netanyahu: “additional violation”); body later returned and identified as Dror Or.
Nov 25 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (north Strip); eliminated.
Nov 25 — Nahal Brigade: 5 armed individuals emerged from tunnels in “Rafah Pocket”; eliminated.
Nov 26 — 6 terrorists emerged from tunnels in Rafah; 2 captured, 4 eliminated.
Nov 26 — IDF struck Hamas operative planning an imminent sniper plot in northern Gaza.
Nov 26 — PIJ member approached IDF in southern Gaza (immediate threat); eliminated.
Nov 26 — Individual crossed Yellow Line and approached IDF; eliminated.
Nov 28 — Terrorist approached troops near Yellow Line (south Gaza); eliminated by IAF.
Nov 29 — Two suspects crossed Yellow Line, did “suspicious activities,” and approached troops (south Gaza); eliminated by IAF.
Nov 29 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached troops later same day; eliminated.
Dec 1 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line (north Gaza) (Incident A); eliminated.
Dec 1 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line (north Gaza) (Incident B); eliminated.
Dec 1 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (central Gaza); eliminated with air support.
Dec 3 — Tunnel ambush in eastern Rafah: Sayeret Golani engaged attackers; 4 IDF injured.
Dec 4 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached IDF (south Gaza); hit/eliminated per IDF.
Dec 5 — Two terrorists with suspicious items approached IDF (north Gaza); struck by IAF; one confirmed eliminated.
Dec 6 — Multiple terrorists crossed Yellow Line (Incident A); IDF reported eliminations (part of three total across day).
Dec 6 — Multiple terrorists crossed Yellow Line (Incident B); IDF reported eliminations (part of three total across day).
Dec 7 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (south Gaza); eliminated.
Dec 10 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (north Gaza); one eliminated.
Dec 11 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (south Gaza); one eliminated.
Dec 13 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (north Gaza); eliminated.
Dec 14 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (north Gaza); eliminated.
Dec 15 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces; eliminated.
Dec 16 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line carrying a suspicious object; eliminated.
Dec 18 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces; eliminated by IAF.
Dec 19 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (central Gaza); eliminated by IAF.
Dec 20 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (north Gaza); killed by IAF.
Dec 21 — Suspects gathered near Yellow Line; warning fire; 3 crossed and approached forces; IAF struck (outcome unclear).
Dec 21 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (Incident A); IAF struck (outcome unclear).
Dec 21 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (Incident B); IAF struck (outcome unclear).
Dec 24 — Charge detonated on armored vehicle during Rafah clearing; 1 IDF soldier lightly wounded.
Dec 25 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (north Gaza); eliminated.
Dec 25 — Two terrorists crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (south Gaza); eliminated by IAF.
Jan 2 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (south Gaza); killed.
Jan 3 — IDF destroyed shaft with loaded rocket launcher ready to fire at southern Israel, deployed after ceasefire (explicit violation).
Jan 5 — Terrorist crossed Yellow Line and approached forces (south Gaza); eliminated by IAF.
Jan 7 — Hamas fired into an area where IDF forces were operating (north Gaza); IDF called it a blatant violation.
Jan 8 — Failed launch from Gaza City toward Israel; projectile fell near a hospital; IDF struck launch point.

All ceasefire violations listed above are drawn from reporting by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Long War Journal (longwarjournal.org), which has provided detailed, day-by-day tracking of militant activity in Gaza since the ceasefire.

I’m not surprised at the president’s braggadocio in the least, but I wish he would be honest about what is actually happening in Gaza. About the fact that not only has Hamas violated the ceasefire 78 times as of this writing, but that the war is not over. I wish the president would admit that Hamas is reorganizing, rearming, repairing and reopening tunnels, and reasserting its full control over the parts of Gaza still under its authority.

🚨Hamas has been violating the ceasefire since the beginning.

Video: @HonestReporting pic.twitter.com/7aQTetBPmz
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) November 28, 2025

Since the U.S.-mediated ceasefire in October 2025, Hamas has used the lull to regroup: reconstituting command and policing structures, replenishing weapons stocks, restoring damaged tunnel routes, and tightening its grip over the parts of western Gaza it controls.

Much of this has unfolded out of the Western spotlight. The tunnels did not vanish; they went back underground—literally and politically—while Gaza’s civilians were pushed into ever tighter spaces above them. In that crowded terrain, Hamas can rebuild with more cover and less room for anyone to separate fighters from families. Israeli assessments say the group is returning to a familiar method: tucking command posts, weapons caches, and staging areas into the seams of civilian life—near hospitals, UN-linked compounds, and schools—locations Israel argues have repeatedly been used as shields for military activity.

Meanwhile, the president keeps saying that Hamas will disarm the easy way or the hard way, but it never ever happens. He doesn’t push it. Instead, he’s trying to shove Qatar and Turkey down our throats as if they were good actors, for his Board of Peace (of which there is not).

We deserve safety and peace. But this is not peace and Israel and the Israeli people are not safe. This is not what we bargained for when we agreed to this ceasefire. Or maybe we did. The more things change, the more they stay the same. We are told again and again that Trump is the most pro-Israel president ever, and we are actually giving him the Israel Prize, but unfortunately, the peace that’s breaking out all over, is not peace, and is not breaking out all over.