According to reports in mid June of 2009, Carter escaped an assassination attempt by Palestinian militants during his visit to the Gaza Strip. Hamas forces were said to have been seen detonating two bombs planted at a border crossing between Gaza and Israel meant for Carter's vehicle. Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Ihab al-Rassin denied the reports stating that "the group's forces had engaged in routine activity and had no information of an assassination attempt."Haaretz: Hamas foiled plot to assassinate Carter in Gaza' (June 16, 2009)

"If you read the remarks carefully, you'll see that's not what I said. I said those that had a personal attack on President Obama as a person, that was tinged with racism. But I recognize that people who disagree with him on health care or the environment, that the vast majority of those are not tinged by racism."

He went on to say that "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

Despite these criticisms, the peace process saw a small success with the April 21, 2008, announcement that Hamas would accept 1967 Borders established after the Six Day War. This announcement was the first statement made after meetings between Hamas leaders and Jimmy Carter.