Trump says Hamas security forces deploying in Gaza with his 'approval'

US President Donald Trump said he gave the "approval" for Hamas fighters to deploy throughout Gaza, in order to prevent a security vacuum.

Hours after the ceasefire went into effect on Friday, armed Hamas members could be seen moving freely in Khan Younis and other parts of the enclave.

Videos seen by Middle East Eye showed Palestinians cheering as they passed.

Speaking to reporters ahead of his trip to Israel and Egypt to mark his ceasefire agreement, the US president said that he believed Hamas wants "to stop the problems".

"And they've been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time," Trump said. "We are having them watch that there's not going to be big crime or some of the problems that you have when you have areas like this that have been literally demolished," he added.

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