President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas today, threatening severe consequences if the militant group fails to uphold its peace agreement with Israel.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump stated that several Middle Eastern allies have offered to intervene in Gaza with military force if Hamas continues violating the ceasefire terms. “If they do not [comply], an end to Hamas will be FAST, FURIOUS, & BRUTAL!” the president wrote.
Ceasefire Under Strain
The warning comes as Vice President JD Vance arrived in Israel for emergency discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The fragile ceasefire faces mounting challenges after two Israeli soldiers were killed by Hamas fighters in the Rafah area of southern Gaza on Sunday.
Israeli retaliatory strikes killed 45 Palestinians following that incident, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which reports 80 total deaths since the ceasefire began. Additional clashes occurred Monday in Gaza City and Khan Younis, with Israel claiming militants crossed designated ceasefire boundaries.
Violence Within Gaza
New footage has emerged showing internal violence in Gaza, with masked militants attacking Palestinian civilians. The graphic videos show bound individuals being severely beaten and shot in what appears to be enforcement actions within the territory, highlighting the deteriorating security situation.
Hostage and Prisoner Exchanges
Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas must return the remains of 15 deceased Israeli hostages. So far, 13 bodies have been released. Hamas officials cite difficulties retrieving remains due to extensive rubble across Gaza.
In exchange, Israel has returned 165 Palestinian bodies to Gaza and released prisoners as part of the agreement negotiated at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in Egypt.
A senior Gaza health official alleged that some returned Palestinian bodies showed signs of torture, including rope marks, burns, and crushed limbs. Israel’s Prison Service denied any mistreatment.
Path Forward Uncertain
The second phase of the peace plan calls for Hamas’s disarmament and removal from governing Gaza—terms the group has not yet accepted. Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya stated the organization remains “determined and committed” to ending the war permanently.
Qatar’s Emir condemned Israel’s “continued breaches of the ceasefire” while pledging to continue mediation efforts. Egyptian intelligence officials are meeting with Israeli counterparts to address implementation challenges.
