UNITED STATES President Donald Trump has warned that if internal bloodshed continues in Gaza following last week’s ceasefire agreement, Hamas will face deadly consequences, declaring, “We will have no choice but to go in and kill them.”
AP reported on Friday that the stark threat came as Trump expressed frustration with ongoing violence in the Hamas-controlled enclave, despite a truce and hostage deal brokered between Israel and the militant group.
However, the President later clarified that American troops would not be directly involved in any military action.
“It’s not going to be us,” Trump told reporters. “We won’t have to. There are people very close, very nearby that will go in and they’ll do the trick very easily, but under our auspices.”
While he stopped short of naming Israel directly, any renewed Israeli incursion into Gaza risks breaching the fragile terms of the ceasefire. Trump's comments mark a notable shift in tone from earlier this week, when he appeared unconcerned by reports of Hamas executing members of rival gangs in Gaza.
“That didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you,” he said on Tuesday, referring to what he called the killing of “a couple of gangs that were very bad.”
But in a more forceful statement on Thursday, Trump warned that Hamas must comply fully with the disarmament terms outlined in the ceasefire deal or face military consequences.
“They will disarm, and if they don’t do so, we will disarm them, and it’ll happen quickly and perhaps violently,” he said.
Power vacuum fuels Gaza instability
The ceasefire, introduced by Washington, called for Hamas to release all hostages — living and deceased — by a Monday deadline. While 20 living hostages were freed earlier this week, Israeli authorities have expressed frustration over the pace of returning the remains of the deceased.
Hamas claims it has honoured the terms of the deal and handed over all remains currently in its possession. Its armed wing said in a statement that efforts are ongoing to locate and return more.
Two senior US advisers confirmed that Hamas has assured Washington, via intermediaries, that it is complying with the agreement. Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said they did not believe the group had violated the deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained firm in his demands. “Israel will not compromise,” he said Wednesday, insisting Hamas must return all hostages’ bodies without delay.
Following Israel’s months-long ground campaign and airstrikes that targeted Hamas security structures, local authority in Gaza has deteriorated.
Hamas’ police presence has largely receded, creating a power vacuum now filled by armed gangs and powerful families, including factions allegedly backed by Israel. These groups have been accused of exploiting humanitarian aid, exacerbating Gaza’s deepening food crisis.
US troops in Israel but not Gaza
The United States has deployed around 200 personnel to Israel to help oversee ceasefire implementation in cooperation with partner nations and international organisations. However, officials have reiterated that US forces will not enter Gaza.
Meanwhile, the White House did not immediately respond to queries on whether Trump’s latest remarks reflect a shift in policy or a planned escalation under US coordination. - October 17, 2025
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