Disarm or be disarmed, perhaps violently: Trump's stark warning to Hamas

UPDATED: Oct 15, 2025 01:44 IST

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Hamas must disarm, warning that if the group fails to do so, the US will take action “quickly and perhaps violently.” Speaking at a White House meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei, Trump said he communicated the message to Hamas through intermediaries. “I spoke to Hamas, and I said, you’re going to disarm, right? Yes, sir, we’re going to disarm. That’s what they told me,” Trump added.

The remarks come after a historic peace summit in the region, where Trump’s administration brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel under his 20-point peace plan. On Monday, Hamas released the last remaining Israeli hostages, while Israel freed busloads of Palestinian detainees as part of the agreement. Despite these steps, Hamas has not publicly committed to fully relinquishing its weapons.

Trump indicated that the militant group may maintain a “limited role” in Gaza in the short term, but he emphasised that the ultimate goal is disarmament. He also appeared to endorse Hamas’s recent targeting of rival gangs as it reasserts control over security in Gaza.

The peace plan, put forward by Trump, outlines a phased approach to stabilise Gaza, curb hostilities between Hamas and Israel, and establish conditions conducive to a durable and lasting peace.

However, recent events, including Hamas fighters executing alleged “collaborators and outlaws,” underscore the fragile security situation and highlight the challenges of implementing the deal.

The latest developments raise questions about how the US intends to enforce Hamas’s disarmament and ensure compliance with the peace plan, while balancing regional stability and Israel’s security concerns.

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