President Donald Trump issued a strong ultimatum to Hamas, warning of potential forceful disarmament if the militant group refuses to surrender its weapons. Concerns have escalated over the stability of the Gaza ceasefire as Israel has declined to open the Rafah border crossing for humanitarian aid, despite Hamas returning additional deceased hostages.
In a stern address at the White House, President Trump expressed firm resolve, stating that Hamas must disarm voluntarily or face coercive measures. He emphasized readiness to swiftly and potentially forcibly ensure the group’s disarmament. Trump criticized Hamas for inaccurately reporting the number of deceased hostages they could deliver, noting discrepancies in the body count retrieved from Gaza.
Addressing the press, Trump emphasized the importance of retrieving all hostages as promised by Hamas. He acknowledged Hamas’s actions against rival factions in Gaza but showed little concern, highlighting the ongoing violence in the region following the eradication of terrorist leaders by Israel. Trump recently returned from Egypt after finalizing a groundbreaking peace agreement and addressing the release of 20 hostages by Hamas.
Despite the optimistic atmosphere surrounding the peace deal, uncertainties loom over its sustainability after years of conflict resulting in a significant death toll. Trump’s comprehensive peace plan stipulates Hamas’s disarmament and the handover of deceased hostages, requirements that have yet to be met. The IDF confirmed the retrieval of additional hostage remains by the Red Cross, although numerous bodies pledged for release remain unaccounted for.
Israeli authorities announced the continued closure of the Rafah crossing as part of efforts to pressure Hamas for the return of the remaining hostages. The situation remains tense as the search for the missing bodies continues amid diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to uphold the fragile peace agreement.