Citing several issues, retired Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer told Newsmax he has doubts that Hamas will renounce violence or honor a deal to free hostages in Gaza, tempering expectations for President Donald Trump’s bid to end the Israel-Hamas war.
“I love President Trump. I want the best for the hostages. I want to see them returned. I just don’t see this as a path to have that happen,” Shaffer said on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America Weekend,” pointing to Hamas’ repeated rejection of past cease-fires. “Color me skeptical.”
Shaffer, a former U.S. Army intelligence officer, said any agreement would require the removal of Hamas as a “violent actor” determined to “end the Jewish state.” He argued that Western pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a Palestinian state amounted to “committing suicide.”
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