Trump Issues Warning to Hamas Amid Ceasefire Developments

President Donald Trump has conveyed a firm message to Hamas as the ceasefire makes its way into the second phase, insisting the group must disarm or face repercussions. He stated, “we will disarm them” if they do not comply.

Returning from a recent trip to the Middle East, Trump celebrated the pause in hostilities, which he linked to the release of all surviving Israeli hostages. Now, the focus is on ensuring that this ceasefire holds, as his 20-point peace plan shifts into a more demanding phase for Hamas.

“They said they were going to disarm, and if they don’t, we will disarm them. It will happen quickly and perhaps violently,” Trump remarked.

He described a conversation with Hamas, asserting, “You’re going to disarm, right? Yes, sir, we’re going to disarm.” He emphasized that they understand the seriousness of the situation.

When asked if there’s a deadline for disarmament, Trump replied it would be set for “pretty quickly,” though he did not specify exact timelines.

In addressing future plans for Gaza and Palestinian statehood, Trump seemed to consider both one-state and two-state solutions. “We’re gonna have to see,” he stated, acknowledging differing opinions on the matter.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Trump’s push for demilitarization, warning Hamas that failure to disarm would lead to significant consequences. He mentioned, “We agreed to give peace a chance. First, Hamas has to give up its arms.”

Netanyahu also emphasized the need to ensure no weapons factories or smuggling operations persist in Gaza as part of the demilitarization process.

His hope is that the peace plan proposed by Trump can come to fruition “peacefully,” stressing, “We’re certainly ready to do so.”

However, achieving compliance from Hamas could be challenging, as a senior official from the group remarked that surrendering their weapons is “out of the question.”

According to a Hamas official, “The demand that we hand over our weapons is not up for negotiation.”

This position aligns with earlier reports indicating Hamas’s refusal to disarm unless a sovereign Palestinian state is established. Additionally, Trump has made a call for Hamas to return the remains of deceased hostages, with many of the 28 dead still unreturned.

The Israel Defense Forces reported receiving only four coffins of deceased hostages, yet have yet to identify them. In a statement, Trump reminded that the task isn’t finished, emphasizing, “ALL TWENTY HOSTAGES ARE BACK AND FEELING AS GOOD AS CAN BE EXPECTED… THE JOB IS NOT DONE!”

This situation remains dynamic, and its developments will continue to unfold as authorities pursue peace and security in the region.