U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would consider allowing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas fails to comply with the current ceasefire agreement, telling CNN that Israeli forces could return to action “as soon as I say the word.”
“What’s going on with Hamas – that’ll be straightened out quickly,” Trump said in a brief phone interview, adding that Israel had the capacity to "knock the crap [out] of them" if necessary. “I had to hold them back,” he said of the Israeli government. “I had it out with Bibi,” he added, using the Israeli leader's nickname.
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US President Donald Trump; Hamas executes rival militia members in the street hours after hostage release
(Photo: AP / Carlos Osorio)
Trump’s comments come as Israel accuses Hamas of violating the terms of the ceasefire deal, which requires the return of all hostages, both living and deceased. While all 20 living Israeli hostages have been returned, the bodies of only four deceased hostages have been handed over on Tuesday, and Israeli officials say one of those bodies does not belong to an Israeli. Additional remains—four or five—were expected to be transferred later Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The return of the hostages was a central clause in Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which states in Point 4: “Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.”
Despite tensions, the ceasefire has largely held. However, in recent days, violent clashes have erupted between Hamas and rival factions in Gaza, including at least one incident that appeared to be a public execution. Trump addressed the reports, saying Hamas was “going in and clearing out the gangs, violent gangs,” but added, “I’m doing research on it. We’ll find out about it. It could be gangs plus.”
Trump reiterated that retrieving the living hostages was “paramount,” but warned that if Hamas fails to disarm—as required in the second phase of the agreement—Israel may resume operations. Point 6 of the peace plan states: “Once 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.”
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Red Cross convoy transfers remains of hostages back to Israeli territory
(Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas)
Asked what would happen if Hamas refused to disarm, Trump replied, “I think about it... Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word.”
The president expressed optimism about the broader peace process, citing growing regional support for his agreement, which has been referred to by signatories as the “Trump Peace Agreement.” He claimed 59 countries had joined the initiative, referencing a recent ceremony in Egypt and widespread interest in expanding the Abraham Accords. “Now it’s all happening,” he said. “They want to be part of the Abraham Accords. Now that Iran isn’t a problem.”
Trump also said he was continuing efforts to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expected to visit the White House on Friday. “I’m working hard on the Russian thing,” he said, then mused on which peace deal—Middle East or Ukraine—would be the greater achievement. “One’s been going on for three years, the other three thousand,” he said.
In the interview, Trump also criticized the media, taking aim at ABC’s George Stephanopoulos and praising changes at CBS News. Asked whether he would sit for a full, in-person interview with CNN—a first since 2016—Trump said he would consider it.
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US CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper (right) and IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amir Baram
(Photo: IDF)
Earlier Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper issued a statement calling on Hamas to immediately halt violence targeting innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
“We strongly urge Hamas to immediately suspend violence and shooting at innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza,” Cooper said, responding to recent events in the coastal enclave.
Speaking broadly about what he described as Hamas' suppressive tactics, Cooper said the terrorist group was using force both in areas under its direct control and in regions “protected by the IDF beyond the 'yellow line’”—a reference to zones in Gaza where Israeli forces are reportedly present or providing security under the terms of the current ceasefire arrangement.
The CENTCOM commander also urged Hamas to step down from governance in Gaza and to disarm without delay.
“This is a historic opportunity for peace,” Cooper said. “Hamas should seize it by fully withdrawing from power, strictly adhering to President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, and decommissioning its weapons immediately.”