“In the agreement reached with us, Hamas pledged to act appropriately and abide by the signed document. If they fail to do so, we will wipe them out. Hamas knows that very well,” Trump told reporters at the White House on October 20.
He urged the militant group to stop public executions of opponents and individuals accused of collaborating with rival forces, as Hamas seeks to reestablish control over the Gaza Strip.
The U.S. President emphasized that America would not take direct military action against Hamas, but noted that dozens of nations participating in the Gaza stabilization effort were “very willing” to do so. “Moreover, if I asked Israel to step in, it would take them two minutes to act. But for now, we’re not discussing that. We’re giving Hamas a little more time and hoping for a reduction in violence. But as everyone knows, Hamas has been very violent — increasingly aggressive, doing things they should not be doing. If they continue down that path, we will intervene and resolve the issue swiftly and decisively,” Trump said.
According to Trump, Hamas has grown significantly weaker, especially since Iran — the group’s key backer — is unlikely to defend it after suffering a series of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes this year.
“They no longer have anyone supporting them. Hamas must act properly, or they will be wiped out,” he stressed.
The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, brokered by President Trump, took effect on October 11. Under the deal, Hamas agreed to release all surviving hostages and return the bodies of deceased captives to Israel in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. However, continued mutual accusations of ceasefire violations by both sides have left the agreement on increasingly fragile ground.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has departed for Israel, while Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 20 to discuss “recent developments and the current situation in the region.”