Trump's security adviser: Hamas will never again govern Gaza

(Patria) - Donald Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Sunday that Hamas militants will never again rule Gaza, AFP reported.

"They can no longer be a terrorist organization and they will never govern Gaza. Period," Mike Waltz said on CNN's "State of the Union" program.

Waltz, a former congressman and veteran of two combat tours in Afghanistan, spoke just hours after a long-negotiated ceasefire took effect in the devastated Palestinian territory.

Despite great uncertainty about the development of the ceasefire and how to ensure Gaza's recovery and long-term stability, Waltz expressed cautious optimism.

"Look, Israel will do what it must do to secure itself. And the United States, under the Trump administration, will support them so that Hamas never again governs Gaza," he said. "That doesn't mean there won't be pockets. That doesn't mean there won't be ongoing fighting, but there will be a difficult road ahead."

Analysts say intense, sustained and focused diplomacy will be needed to create a stable and peaceful future for Gaza, but Waltz said Trump had the ability to help make that happen. "President Trump can bring all sides together in a unique way," he said.

"If it's about security forces backed by Arabs, if there is some mix of Palestinians, I don't want to get ahead of our planning process," he said.

"But obviously the broader contours are there," Waltz added.