President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Hamas, stating that if the group does not relinquish their weapons voluntarily, he is prepared to forcibly disarm them. Tensions have risen amidst concerns that the delicate Gaza ceasefire could collapse due to Israel’s refusal to open the Rafah border crossing for aid, despite Hamas returning additional bodies of hostages. In a press briefing at the White House, President Trump emphasized that Hamas must comply with disarmament demands, asserting readiness to take swift and potentially forceful action if necessary.
Expressing frustration with Hamas, President Trump criticized the group for inaccurately reporting the number of hostages they would release, noting that only a fraction of the promised bodies have been recovered so far. He reiterated his desire for the return of all hostages as agreed upon. Additionally, he acknowledged the existence of rival armed factions in Gaza, formed after Israeli operations targeted Hamas leadership. Following his return from Egypt after brokering a peace deal and addressing the situation in Israel, President Trump’s 20-point peace initiative continues to face challenges as Hamas has yet to fulfill their commitments.
The peace process remains uncertain, with the release of hostages and disarmament still pending. The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the retrieval of more hostage bodies by the Red Cross from Gaza, despite the ongoing closure of the Rafah crossing and reduced aid deliveries to pressure Hamas for full compliance. Notably, a significant number of hostages promised for release by Hamas are still missing, extending doubts about the sustainability of the recent peace agreement.