Trump’s Harsh Warning to Hamas Amid Gaza Tensions
US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas, stating that the group would face severe consequences if internal violence in Gaza continues. This statement marks a notable shift in tone from his previous remarks and highlights growing criticism of Hamas as he works to uphold a proposed peace deal for Gaza.
In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his concerns about the ongoing bloodshed, saying, “If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them.” He added, “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
This grim message comes after Trump had previously downplayed the internal conflict in the territory following the implementation of a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. The agreement came into effect last week, marking a pause in the two-year-long conflict.
The White House did not provide any clarification regarding Trump’s comments, and the president did not elaborate on how he would carry out his warning. However, Trump later clarified that the US would not send troops into Gaza.
“It’s not going to be us,” Trump said during an exchange with reporters at the White House. “We won’t have to. There are people very close, very nearby, that will go in, and they’ll do the trick very easily, but under our auspices.”
While Trump did not explicitly name the parties involved, it is likely he was referring to Israel. However, any action by Israeli forces could risk violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
On Tuesday, Trump mentioned that Hamas had taken out “a couple of gangs that were very bad” and had killed several gang members. “That didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you,” he said. Yet, he also made it clear that he had limited patience for the killings Hamas was carrying out against rival factions within the devastated territory.
“They will disarm, and if they don’t do so, we will disarm them, and it’ll happen quickly and perhaps violently,” Trump stated.
Pressure on Hamas Over Hostages’ Remains
Hamas has faced increasing pressure over the remains of hostages. The group-run police maintained a high level of public security after seizing power in Gaza 18 years ago, while also cracking down on dissent. However, they largely disappeared in recent months as Israeli forces seized large areas of Gaza and targeted Hamas security forces with airstrikes.
Powerful local families and armed gangs, including some anti-Hamas factions backed by Israel, have stepped into the void. These groups are accused of hijacking humanitarian aid and selling it for profit, contributing to Gaza’s worsening starvation crisis. Now, Hamas faces even more pressure as the situation escalates.
Hostage Return and Ceasefire Challenges
According to the Trump-proposed ceasefire, all hostages—both alive and dead—were to be turned over by Monday. If this did not occur, Hamas was supposed to exchange details about captives who had died and work to turn their remains over as quickly as possible.
Hamas’ armed wing stated in a statement on Wednesday that the group honored the ceasefire’s terms and handed over the remains of the hostages it had access to. However, they claimed they needed specialized equipment to find the remains of 19 other hostages.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel “will not compromise,” demanding that Hamas fulfill the requirements laid out in the ceasefire deal regarding the return of hostages’ bodies.
Although the US has downplayed the idea that it amounts to a breach, Israel has been incensed that Hamas has not returned all the dead in accordance with the agreement. This ongoing issue continues to test the fragile ceasefire and the broader efforts to bring stability to the region.
