President Donald Trump issued one of his strongest warnings yet toward Hamas on Thursday, declaring that if the militant group continues to kill people in Gaza, the United States “will have no choice but to go in and kill them.” The comments, posted on Trump’s Truth Social account and reiterated during an Oval Office press briefing, mark a dramatic escalation in rhetoric as tensions threaten to unravel the recently brokered Gaza ceasefire.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, signed just three days ago, had temporarily halted months of intense fighting that left thousands dead and the Gaza Strip in ruins. However, reports began to surface this week that Hamas fighters have used the pause to reassert control, allegedly targeting Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israeli forces during the war.

According to several accounts from inside Gaza, members of Hamas’ military wing — the al-Qassam Brigades — detained and executed suspected informants in areas under their control. The violence immediately cast doubt on the stability of the ceasefire deal, prompting Trump’s fiery response.

“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not part of the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Speaking later in the Oval Office, Trump clarified that his threat did not mean U.S. troops would enter Gaza.
“It’s not going to be us — we won’t have to,” the president said. “There are people very close, very nearby that will go and they’ll do the trick very easily, but under our auspices.”

The statement appeared to signal that the United States could greenlight Israeli or allied regional forces to take military action against Hamas if ceasefire violations continue.

The president’s comments represent a sharp contrast from his earlier optimism when the truce was first announced. Just days ago, Trump had called the deal “a tremendous achievement” and declared that “the war is over.” At the time, he dismissed early reports of Hamas crackdowns, even downplaying a widely circulated video showing an alleged public execution.

“They did take out a couple of gangs that were very bad,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday. “And that didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you. That’s OK.”

Since the ceasefire began, Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the return of several hostages’ remains and breaching terms of the agreement. Trump, who initially expressed patience, has shifted tone dramatically in the last 24 hours.

During a televised interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Wednesday, Trump warned that if Hamas “doesn’t hold up its end of the deal,” fighting could resume “as soon as I say the word.”

“Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word,” Trump added. “If Israel could go in and knock the crap out of them, they’d do that.”

The U.S. president reportedly spoke Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the unfolding situation, though officials did not disclose details of their conversation. In remarks afterward, Trump expressed hope that Hamas would honor the ceasefire.
“We know we have a commitment from them, and I assume they’re going to honor that commitment,” he said. “If they don’t behave, we’ll take care of it.”

Foreign policy experts say Trump’s comments could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, the threat may pressure Hamas to comply with the ceasefire. On the other, it risks reigniting tensions and undermining diplomatic progress toward a permanent peace.

“Trump’s language is unusually aggressive for a sitting president discussing a ceasefire,” said Dr. Michael Hanley, a Middle East analyst at the Brookings Institution. “While it might deter Hamas in the short term, it could also embolden hardliners in both Gaza and Israel who see the truce as a temporary pause rather than a step toward resolution.”

Regional allies have so far responded cautiously. Egypt and Qatar — both key mediators in the ceasefire — have urged restraint from all parties. Humanitarian organizations warn that renewed conflict would devastate Gaza’s already dire conditions, where infrastructure damage, power shortages, and limited food supplies continue to threaten civilian lives.

Trump’s strategy toward Gaza has been marked by an effort to appear both tough on Hamas and committed to stabilizing the region. His administration has touted the ceasefire as a major diplomatic achievement, emphasizing U.S. influence in convincing both sides to pause hostilities. However, his latest remarks raise questions about how far Washington might go to enforce compliance.

As one senior official put it anonymously: “The president believes in deterrence. He thinks showing strength is the best way to preserve peace.”

In the coming days, attention will focus on whether Hamas ceases alleged reprisals and resumes cooperation with international mediators. If violence continues, Trump could authorize U.S. allies to intervene under what he called “our auspices” — a move likely to draw global scrutiny.

For now, the ceasefire remains intact on paper, but both sides are on edge. The question is whether Trump’s latest threat will stabilize the truce — or ignite the next phase of the Gaza conflict.

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