Trump’s Warning to Hamas Amid Escalating Violence

President Donald Trump issued a serious warning to Hamas on his Truth social platform, stating that if the group continues executing Palestinians in Gaza, those working on a peace agreement will have “no choice but to go in and kill them.”

“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the deal, we will have no choice but to move in and kill them,” the president wrote on Thursday.

This strong statement came after alarming reports of public executions by Hamas in Gaza City. Disturbing videos shared on social media showed militants executing a Palestinian accused of being a “criminal and an Israeli collaborator.” The footage depicted the individual blindfolded and kneeling before being shot.

By mid-October, reports noted that Hamas had executed at least 33 Palestinians in public areas throughout the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian National Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the executions and called for law and order restoration in Gaza. Abbas, a rival of Hamas, urged the group to surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

“I declare my readiness to work with President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, France, the United Nations, and all other partners to implement the peace plan,” he stated previously.

Later on Thursday, when pressed by reporters about the possibility of U.S. troops intervening against Hamas, Trump clarified he was not suggesting American involvement in such actions.

“I didn’t say who we’re going to go in, but somebody else is going to go in. It’s not going to be us,” Trump responded.

This warning from Trump followed reports that U.S. officials are attempting to establish safe zones for civilians who fear becoming targets of Hamas.

“This is exactly in response to what we have seen in reports of Hamas executing rivals,” an adviser noted. “Israel is committed to ensuring the security of the people of Gaza who want to live in peace, which is why we have called for this new initiative.”

Recently, Trump has also considered granting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu permission to resume military operations in Gaza should Hamas fail to comply with the peace agreement. The initial phase of the ceasefire, facilitated in part by the Trump administration, requires the return of 48 hostages held in Gaza, whether they are dead or alive. While 20 living hostages were reunited with Israel within the stipulated 72 hours, many of the deceased have yet to be returned, indicating that this first step is still underway.

The second phase demands Hamas to disarm, a critical part of the agreement but difficult to achieve given the group’s current stance.

“We strongly urge Hamas to immediately cease violence and shootings against innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza, both in Hamas-controlled areas and in locations held by the Israeli Defense Forces,” U.S. Central Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated on Wednesday.

“This is a historic opportunity for peace. Hamas must seize this chance by fully withdrawing, adhering to President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, and disarming without delay,” Cooper added. “We have conveyed our concerns to the mediator, who has agreed to work with us to strengthen peace and protect innocent Gaza civilians.”

“We remain very optimistic about the future of peace in the region,” he concluded.