Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas, saying the militant group will be forced to disarm following the Gaza peace deal, and that if they refuse, the U.S. “will disarm them” by force. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, the president said the process should happen “quickly and perhaps violently,” emphasizing that Hamas’s disarmament is a key condition in his 20-point peace plan. His remarks come amid ongoing questions over Hamas’s role in post-war Gaza governance and the implementation of the ceasefire deal.
Read: Trump Forced to Drop Netanyahu Invite After Erdoğan’s Threat
Trump’s Firm Ultimatum
Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Hamas must disarm within a “reasonable period of time.” He warned, “If they don’t disarm, we will disarm them, and it will happen quickly and perhaps violently. But they will disarm, do you understand me?” His comments underscore growing uncertainty about the next phase of the U.S.-brokered peace agreement designed to end the conflict in Gaza. Despite the ceasefire, concerns persist about how the White House plans to enforce its disarmament terms.
Also read: Newsom Sparks Outrage Over Racial Justice as He Vetoes 5 Key Reparations Bills
Questions Over Hamas’s Role
As the ceasefire takes effect, one of the most pressing issues is whether Hamas will retain any power in Gaza. Earlier remarks from Trump suggested the group could play a limited, temporary role in maintaining order, a confusing position. Reports have surfaced of high-level meetings between White House envoys and Hamas negotiators, marking the most significant direct contact ever between the two sides. The president’s shifting tone has left observers wondering how his administration plans to manage Hamas’s future in the region.
Also read: “We Are in This Together” Prince Andrew’s 2011 Email to Epstein Resurfaces
Violence Amid Peace Efforts
Tensions remain high despite the peace deal. On Tuesday, Hamas released a video showing members executing eight blindfolded, bound men accused of being “collaborators and outlaws.” According to Agence France-Presse, the group claimed it was targeting “Palestinian criminal gangs and clans” following the ceasefire. The footage has drawn international condemnation, highlighting the fragile security situation in Gaza even as diplomatic efforts continue.
Also read: Newsom Shocks California by Vetoing Bill Aimed at Curbing Online Hate Speech
Trump’s Explanation on Air Force One
During his flight aboard Air Force One, Trump reiterated that Hamas would continue to have a limited role in local security until the second phase of his peace plan began. He said, “[Hamas] are standing because they do want to stop the problems, and they’ve been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time.” The president also acknowledged that rebuilding Gaza would be “dangerous and difficult,” stressing the need to work with forces on the ground during reconstruction.
Also read: ICE Under Fire After 13-Year-Old Taken From Family and Sent 500 Miles Away
Phase Two of the Peace Plan
Speaking earlier in Egypt, Trump declared that “phase two has started” but noted that implementation would take time. “The phases are all a little bit mixed in with each other,” he said. “You’re gonna start cleaning up. You look at Gaza – it needs a lot of cleanup.” His comments reflect the complexity of enforcing his 20-point peace deal, which calls for gradual disarmament, reconstruction, and governance reforms in Gaza.
Also read: Trump’s $870 Million Bitcoin Surge Raises Serious Questions of Insider Trading
Secret Talks with Hamas
Reports from Axios revealed that Trump’s senior aides, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met directly with Hamas leaders last week in a 45-minute session. The meeting included Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s political leader, who survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Doha. It marked the first such meeting since March, when U.S. envoy Adam Boehler held talks to negotiate hostage releases. The latest meeting was crucial in finalizing the peace agreement, with mediation from Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar.
Also read: Trump Administration Plans to Sell $1.6 Trillion Student Loan Portfolio to Wall Street
Key Assurances and Commitments
During the talks, Witkoff told Hamas leaders, “President Trump’s message is that you will be treated fairly and that he stands behind all 20 points of his peace plan and will make sure they are all implemented.” He reportedly urged Hamas to release remaining hostages, warning that “the hostages were more of a liability than an asset for you.” According to Axios, regional intelligence chiefs confirmed after the discussions: “Based on the meeting we just had, we have a deal.”
