Trump Warns Hamas: Disarm or Face Deadly Force/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump warned Hamas that continued violence in Gaza would provoke deadly retaliation. While clarifying he would not deploy U.S. troops, Trump stressed disarmament must occur swiftly or forcefully. Ongoing ceasefire efforts remain fragile as hostage negotiations continue between Hamas and Israel.
Keyphrase + Quick Looks: Trump Gaza Warning Quick Looks
- Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas amid ceasefire violations.
- He vowed violent retaliation if killings within Gaza persist.
- Clarified the U.S. would not send troops into Gaza.
- Ceasefire deal calls for return of hostages and remains.
- Local Gaza gangs accused of worsening humanitarian conditions.
- Israeli PM Netanyahu demands Hamas honor ceasefire terms.
- Hamas claims it is complying with all agreement clauses.
Deep Look
Trump Threatens Hamas With Violent Retaliation if Gaza Killings Continue
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas on Thursday, stating that if violence continues inside Gaza:
“we will have no choice but to go in and kill them.” His remarks come amid rising tensions and a fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that began just last week.
While Trump’s initial statement sparked concern about possible U.S. military intervention, he later clarified that American forces would not be deployed to Gaza. Speaking to reporters, Trump said:
“It’s not going to be us. 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.”
Trump had previously downplayed the internal conflict within Gaza, stating earlier in the week that Hamas had eliminated “a couple of gangs that were very bad,” and added, “That didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you.”
Although Trump has not detailed what specific actions he would take, his posts on Truth Social and subsequent comments suggest a hardline stance on Hamas’s ongoing operations in Gaza. The White House has not commented on his remarks, leaving questions about how such threats might materialize in policy or action.
In a forceful tone, Trump also declared, “They will disarm, and if they don’t do so, we will disarm them, and it’ll happen quickly and perhaps violently.” His message appears to be directed not just at Hamas militants but also toward rival armed factions contributing to the disorder inside Gaza.
After nearly two decades of ruling Gaza, Hamas-run police had kept a tight grip on public security. However, that control has largely collapsed in recent months due to Israeli airstrikes and the capture of large swaths of Gaza by Israeli forces. With that power vacuum, armed gangs and powerful local families—some reportedly backed by Israel—have emerged. These groups are accused of hijacking aid and deepening the region’s starvation crisis by selling relief supplies for profit.
Trump’s ceasefire plan includes the return of all hostages—both living and deceased—by a deadline that passed on Monday. Under the agreement, if Hamas could not return the deceased in time, it was required to provide detailed information on their whereabouts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Wednesday that Israel would not accept delays or excuses from Hamas, demanding that all bodies of hostages be returned as stipulated in the deal. “Israel will not compromise,” Netanyahu stated firmly.
On the other hand, Hamas’s armed wing has claimed it fulfilled the ceasefire terms by transferring the remains of hostages it could access. Despite this, Israeli officials remain frustrated with the slow pace of the returns. As part of the agreement, Hamas had committed to releasing 28 bodies and had already freed 20 living hostages earlier in the week.
The U.S. recently confirmed it had sent around 200 troops to Israel to support and monitor the ceasefire process. These troops are working alongside partners from other countries and various non-governmental organizations. However, officials emphasized that U.S. military personnel will not enter Gaza.
According to two senior U.S. advisers, Hamas has communicated through intermediaries that it is actively working to return the bodies of dead hostages. The advisers, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue, noted that the U.S. does not believe Hamas has violated the ceasefire agreement.
The situation remains volatile. With the ceasefire hanging by a thread, Trump’s rhetoric may add to regional tension. Yet, his statements also reflect growing frustration over the slow implementation of hostage return measures and ongoing violence within Gaza’s borders. Whether these threats translate into tangible actions remains to be seen, but the former president has once again inserted himself into one of the world’s most combustible geopolitical conflicts.
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