President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would consider allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume military action in Gaza if Hamas fails to honor its ceasefire agreement. Trump told CNN that Israeli forces could return to the streets “as soon as I say the word.”
Trump emphasized that the situation with Hamas would be resolved swiftly. “What’s going on with Hamas – that’ll be straightened out quickly,” he commented during a brief phone call.
The remarks come amid accusations from Israel that Hamas, designated a terrorist group by the US, is not adhering to the agreement. Israel claims that Hamas has failed to return hostages, both living and dead, as part of the ceasefire arrangement. This has caused frustration in Israel, where officials informed the UN that humanitarian aid shipments expected to enter Gaza will be reduced or delayed due to the small number of hostages returned. However, the ceasefire has largely held.
Trump’s 20-point peace plan included a commitment that “all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting the agreement.” By Wednesday morning, all 20 living hostages had been returned, while Hamas had only handed over the bodies of eight, including four on Tuesday night. The Israeli military confirmed that one of the bodies did not belong to an Israeli hostage, and several more are expected to be returned later.
Trump recognized the significance of the hostages’ rescue. “Getting those 20 hostages out was paramount,” he said. Despite some claims that Hamas has not violated the ceasefire, senior US advisers noted that the group had made assurances to return all bodies, including those buried under rubble from the two-year conflict. The US is working through third-party mediators to provide intelligence and support in locating the remaining remains.
As violence erupts between Hamas and rival groups, including a public execution, Trump has reiterated his stance that Hamas must disarm. His peace plan envisions a future where Hamas has no role in Gaza’s governance, which would be demilitarized and monitored by independent agencies. However, he acknowledged that much work remains to resolve Gaza’s future, with the hostage agreement being only Phase 1.
Trump also addressed recent violence in Gaza, saying Hamas is “clearing out the gangs, violent gangs.” When asked about reports of Hamas executing innocent Palestinians, he said, “We’ll find out about it. It could be gangs plus.”
Trump’s peace plan outlines that Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and disarmament will be offered amnesty. Those who wish to leave Gaza will be given safe passage. However, when asked what would happen if Hamas refuses to disarm, Trump responded, “Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word. If Israel could go in and knock the crap out of them, they’d do that.”
Trump expressed confidence about the long-term peace prospects, citing the involvement of 59 countries in the ceasefire agreement. He referred to this as a “historic moment,” noting that many countries wanted to join the Abraham Accords now that Iran is no longer an obstacle.
Trump also reflected on his efforts to end the war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky set to visit the White House on Friday. Trump weighed which achievement would be greater – peace in the Middle East or resolving the conflict with Russia. “One’s been going on for three years, the other three thousand,” he remarked.
Finally, Trump took the opportunity to criticize the media, particularly a recent interview with Vice President JD Vance by ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos. He expressed hope that CBS News would become “fairer” under new management, though he didn’t expect it to be like Fox News, just “fair.”
