Trump Issues Ultimatum to Hamas: Disarm or Face Action

US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Hamas, stating that the militant group must disarm or face military consequences. During a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei at the White House, Trump emphasized that the US is ready to act decisively if Hamas does not comply with the disarmament terms outlined in a recent peace agreement. "If they don't disarm, we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently," Trump stated.

Trump's remarks come as part of the second phase of a peace plan aimed at stabilizing the region following a ceasefire. He noted that Hamas had previously indicated a willingness to disarm, saying, "I spoke to Hamas, and I said, you're going to disarm, right? Yes, sir, we're going to disarm. That's what they told me." However, Hamas has not publicly committed to full disarmament, raising concerns about the future of peace in the area.

The President described the ceasefire as a significant turning point, declaring it the "historic dawn of a new Middle East." He stated that the forces of chaos and terror had been defeated, and that the region was now on the path to peace and prosperity. Trump also highlighted the importance of recovering the bodies of those killed during the conflict, stating, "A big burden has been lifted, but the job IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED! Phase Two begins right NOW!"

Despite Trump's firm stance, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem indicated that the group would not relinquish its weapons or control over Gaza. He stated, "We will not be captives to Israeli terms or demands," suggesting that Hamas may resist key elements of the ceasefire agreement.

The fragile ceasefire is already facing challenges, as Israel announced a reduction in aid to Gaza and delays in opening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. This comes amid accusations that Hamas has not fully adhered to the terms of the US-brokered agreement, particularly regarding the return of hostages.

The first phase of the ceasefire saw the return of 20 Israeli hostages, while nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees were released by Israel. However, Hamas has indicated that recovering the bodies of additional deceased hostages may take longer than expected. The ceasefire agreement requires the return of all hostages, both alive and deceased, within a specified timeframe, and includes provisions for sharing information about remaining hostages.

As the situation develops, the international community watches closely to see if Hamas will comply with the disarmament demands and if lasting peace can be achieved in the region.