US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Hamas, accusing the group of killing Palestinians and violating the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza. In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump said that if Hamas continues its violent actions, the United States would have no choice but to intervene militarily to eliminate the group. He emphasised that such killings were never part of the ceasefire arrangement. Trump’s comments came after footage circulated online showing Hamas terrorists clashing with rival Palestinian rebel groups and executing their own men in public, despite the ceasefire. The videos sparked widespread outrage and renewed concern over Hamas’s internal crackdown during a fragile truce.
The president’s latest remarks mark a sharp shift from his earlier position. Previously, Trump had downplayed the violence in Gaza, saying that Hamas had removed “some very bad groups” and that it did not bother him too much. However, his tone has since hardened, suggesting increasing frustration over Hamas’s failure to abide by the peace terms. Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza calls on Hamas to lay down its weapons and step down from power. The proposal also includes provisions allowing Hamas members who wish to leave Gaza to safely travel to other countries. Despite these offers, Hamas has failed to comply, remaining armed and defiant. According to Trump, the group’s continued refusal to disarm jeopardises the peace process and threatens to reignite large-scale violence in the region.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) October 16, 2025
The US president also reiterated his warning during a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei in the Oval Office on Tuesday. He stated that Hamas would either disarm voluntarily or be disarmed by force, an operation, he said, that would be swift and potentially violent. Trump’s remarks underscored his administration’s readiness to act if Hamas continues to resist diplomatic and peaceful solutions. Hamas’s actions following the ceasefire have significantly worsened the situation on the ground. Reports from Gaza indicated that Hamas fighters carried out public executions, shooting members of other armed Palestinian groups in the streets, in full view of civilians. These brutal acts, which occurred after the ceasefire took effect, have been widely condemned as flagrant violations of the peace agreement.
Trump reiterated that disarmament remains a non-negotiable condition for maintaining peace in Gaza. He stressed that Hamas’s continued killings and internal purges were outside the scope of the truce deal. The president warned that if such internal bloodshed persisted, the United States would be compelled to act decisively against Hamas.Trump’s recent change in tone, coming just days after he initially appeared unconcerned about the situation, signals a major shift in his approach toward the Gaza conflict. His administration now appears determined to ensure that Hamas complies fully with the ceasefire and the peace plan, even if that means resorting to military measures.
