Protect the U.S. from Israel’s war in Gaza

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 3, 2025
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, President Donald Trump set a firm deadline for Hamas to accept the Gaza peace proposal which was unveiled on Monday. Rosemary Kelanic, Director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, issued the following statement in response:

“It’s difficult to interpret exactly what Trump has in mind with his statement, but threatening Hamas is not productive for U.S. interests. The U.S. should be extracting itself from Middle Eastern conflicts, not inserting itself into the center of the region’s chaos.

“Hamas committed a despicable crime on October 7, 2023, but the U.S. is not at war with Hamas, nor should it enter into one. Regardless of whether Hamas accepts the Gaza peace deal or not, the U.S. needs to limit its role in the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, which is tarnishing Israel’s image and ours by association, all while failing its core objectives of freeing the hostages and eliminating Hamas.

“Rather than inflame the situation, the U.S. should end our military support for Israel’s destruction of Gaza, and let Israel and Hamas work out a solution themselves.”

Author

Rosemary
Kelanic

Director, Middle East Program

Defense Priorities