President Donald Trump has said he would consider allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas fails to comply with the terms of the current ceasefire. In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Trump stated that Israeli forces could return to combat “as soon as I say the word,” signaling that Washington’s patience with Hamas may be wearing thin.
Speaking by phone, Trump said, “What’s going on with Hamas , that’ll be straightened out quickly,” adding that his administration is closely monitoring the group’s actions following the recently brokered ceasefire. The comments come amid growing frustration in Israel, where officials accuse Hamas,designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. of failing to fully uphold the agreement requiring the return of both living and deceased hostages.
Under point four of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, Hamas was to return all hostages within 72 hours of Israel’s public acceptance of the deal. By Wednesday morning, all 20 living hostages had been released, while Hamas had handed over the remains of eight individuals, though Israeli authorities said one body did not belong to an Israeli hostage. Additional remains were expected later that day.
Trump emphasized the importance of rescuing the living captives, describing their return as “paramount.” Two senior U.S. advisers told CNN that Washington does not believe Hamas has violated the ceasefire agreement by failing to produce all the bodies, citing assurances from mediators that the group is working to locate them, potentially buried under rubble after years of warfare. The U.S. is reportedly providing intelligence and logistical support to aid in this search.
Despite the fragile truce, recent days have seen violent clashes between Hamas and rival factions in Gaza, including reports of public executions. Trump acknowledged the tensions and said his administration is investigating claims of Hamas executing civilians. “We’re doing research on it,” he said. “We’ll find out about it. It could be gangs plus.”
The president’s 20-point peace plan outlines a phased approach to stabilizing Gaza. Point six grants amnesty to Hamas members who disarm and pledge peaceful coexistence, while those wishing to leave Gaza would receive safe passage. However, Trump warned that if Hamas refuses to disarm, Israel would have his authorization to resume military action. “Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word,” he told CNN. “If Israel could go in and knock the crap out of them, they’d do that. I had to hold them back.”
Despite his tough stance, Trump expressed optimism about the prospects for lasting peace in the Middle East. He noted that 59 countries have endorsed or supported the ceasefire agreement, which he referred to as part of the “Trump Peace Agreement.” “We’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “They all want to be part of the Abraham Accords. Now that Iran isn’t a problem, peace is within reach.”
Trump also touched on his ongoing efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit the White House soon. Reflecting on the challenge of achieving peace in both regions, Trump said, “One’s been going on for three years, the other for three thousand.”
The president ended the interview with criticism of the media, singling out ABC News and expressing hope that CBS might become “fairer” under new leadership. When asked if he would sit for a full CNN interview,the first since 2016,Trump said he would consider it.
The White House has since confirmed that the administration remains committed to enforcing the ceasefire agreement while continuing diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe return of all hostages and a sustainable peace in Gaza.
