US president also calls for return of final Israeli captive’s remains from group, which has refused to give up weapons
Donald Trump has issued a fresh ultimatum to Hamas, adding to calls for the group’s disarmament as the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire with Israel begins, even as key elements of the first phase remain unfulfilled.
In a late-night post on social media on Thursday, Trump vowed to push for what he described as the “comprehensive” demilitarisation of Hamas, warning of severe consequences should the group refuse to comply. He also demanded the return of the remains of the final Israeli captive still believed to be held by the group, sharpening tensions at a fragile moment in the truce process.
“Hamas must IMMEDIATELY honor its commitments, including the return of the final body to Israel, and proceed without delay to full Demilitarization,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “As I have said before, they can do this the easy way, or the hard way.”
No agreement has yet been reached on the disarmament of Hamas, which remains one of the most contentious elements of the second phase of the ceasefire, alongside the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces and the easing of restrictions to allow significantly more humanitarian aid into Gaza – measures that Israel has yet to fully implement.
