President Donald Trump issued a direct warning to Hamas on Tuesday, stating, ‘If they don’t disarm, we will disarm them.’ This statement was delivered during a press briefing at the White House, in the presence of Argentinian President Javier Milei. The threat comes as the second phase of a complex hostage deal between Israel and Hamas starts, with the majority of captured Israelis freed after nearly 740 days of captivity. However, the majority of the 28 deceased victims remain missing, raising international concerns about the situation’s resolution.
Following the release of the 20 living hostages, Trump emphasized the urgent need for Hamas to comply with their disarmament obligations, expressing dissatisfaction with their initial claims about the return of the dead. He stressed the importance of Hamas fulfilling its part of the agreement, which includes not only the return of deceased hostages but also a full surrender of arms. Trump’s stance has sparked discussions about the potential military implications should Hamas fail to comply, with the president indicating support for Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.
The international community has been closely monitoring the situation as the disarmament stage of the agreement officially commenced following the hostage release. However, Trump has suggested that the process has already begun, asserting that the second phase will now focus on ensuring Hamas disarms and the IDF continues its withdrawal from the region. The White House has also noted the importance of an international task force dedicated to locating the missing bodies, a task that has now begun to address the humanitarian concerns of the affected families.