US President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday, October 15 that he would authorize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas does not comply with the ceasefire agreement.
He said that Israeli forces could re-enter the territory “as soon as I say the word.”
Trump’s remarks follow Israel’s accusations that Hamas, which the U.S. government labels a terrorist organization, is failing to abide by the deal’s terms for handing over hostages, both living and deceased.
The slow return of deceased hostages has sparked rising anger in Israel, prompting authorities to tell the UN that humanitarian aid shipments intended for Gaza will be reduced or delayed. Despite the tensions, the tenuous ceasefire remains in effect.
Trump noted that the rescue of living hostages was a critical part of his administration’s 20-point peace plan, which stipulated that “all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned” within 72 hours of Israel’s public acceptance.
As of Wednesday morning, all 20 living Israeli hostages had been returned, but Hamas had only handed over the bodies of four people, one of which the Israeli military has disputed as belonging to an Israeli hostage. Four to five more bodies were expected to be returned Wednesday evening.
Following the hostage release, violent clashes, including an apparent public execution, have broken out between Hamas and rival groups. Trump has previously warned that Hamas must disarm, saying “we will disarm them” if they don’t.
His peace plan envisions a demilitarized Gaza, under independent monitoring, with no role for Hamas in its governance. Point 6 of the plan states that after all hostages are returned, “Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.”
When asked by CNN what would happen if Hamas refuses to disarm, Trump responded, “Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word.” He added that he “had to hold them back” regarding the Israel Defense Forces and the Netanyahu administration, noting, “I had it out with Bibi.”
Trump said that Hamas is currently “going in and clearing out the gangs, violent gangs.” Regarding reports that Hamas may be executing innocent Palestinians, he said, “I’m doing research on it… We’ll find out about it. It could be gangs plus.”
Despite the immediate concerns, the president expressed optimism for long-term peace, citing the strong regional support for the ceasefire deal.
He mentioned that “Fifty-nine countries are part of this,” referring to those who signed a high-level document in Egypt titled the “Trump Peace Agreement” or offered statements of support. He connected this to the Abraham Accords, saying, “Now it’s all happening. They want to be part of the Abraham Accords. Now that Iran isn’t a problem.”
In addition to the Middle East, Trump said he is “working hard on the Russian thing,” as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit the White House on Friday, wondering which conflict’s resolution would be a bigger accomplishment, the one that has been ongoing for “three years” or the one that has lasted “three thousand.”
