Trump threatens Hamas with severe consequences if it refuses to disarm following talks with Netanyahu

During a highly cordial encounter at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, Netanyahu announced that Trump would receive the Israel Prize — the country’s highest civilian award — marking the first time since its creation in the 1950s that it has been granted to a non-Israeli.

Netanyahu’s visit came as US officials renewed efforts to pressure Israel into making compromises that could unlock the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire plan, which halted a devastating two-year conflict in October.

When asked whether Israel might withdraw troops from Gaza before Hamas fully disarms, Trump responded that Hamas had committed to disarmament and must follow through. If it fails to do so, he said, the consequences would be severe. He added that the issue of Israeli troop withdrawal was separate and would be discussed later.

Reports from Axios last week suggested growing frustration among senior Trump administration officials, who believe Netanyahu has taken steps that weaken the fragile ceasefire and delay peace efforts. The administration reportedly hopes to quickly establish a technocratic Palestinian authority for Gaza alongside an international stabilisation force.

Trump, however, dismissed any concerns over Israel’s actions, stating that Israel had fully complied with the ceasefire plan. He placed responsibility squarely on Hamas, warning repeatedly that the group would suffer greatly if it failed to meet its obligations. Trump argued that Israel could not be blamed under such circumstances.

Although Hamas still possesses large quantities of small arms, it retains only a limited number of heavy weapons compared with those used during its October 2023 attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 250 abductions. Israel’s subsequent military campaign killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and left much of Gaza in ruins. Since the October ceasefire, roughly 400 Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli fire.

In recent weeks, Hamas has tightened its control over Gaza through executions, raids, and violent crackdowns against rivals, alleged collaborators, and criminal groups. Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are now believed to live in areas under Hamas control.

While Hamas has proposed placing some weapons in storage, it has rejected full disarmament. On Monday, its armed wing reaffirmed that position. A new spokesperson for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades stated in a video message that Hamas would not surrender its weapons as long as Israeli occupation continues.

Trump claimed that other countries supporting the peace agreement would intervene militarily to eliminate Hamas if it failed to comply with the deal.

Earlier in the day, Trump and Netanyahu held a private lunch with their delegations. Israeli officials said Netanyahu planned to insist that Hamas return the remains of the final Israeli hostage still held in Gaza before any further progress on the ceasefire could occur.

Before the meeting, Trump inaccurately claimed that nearly all hostages were released due to his efforts and that none were freed during Joe Biden’s presidency. In reality, Hamas released 138 hostages through agreements brokered with assistance from the Biden administration, according to Snopes.

The family of Ran Gvili, whose remains have not yet been returned, accompanied Netanyahu on the trip and is expected to meet US officials later this week. Israeli sources told Reuters that Netanyahu would demand the return of all hostage remains before advancing to later phases of the peace plan.

The proposed second phase includes the creation of a non-partisan Palestinian interim authority and the deployment of an international stabilisation force — both of which Israel views with concern.

Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer, was severely wounded and abducted during the October 2023 attack. It remains unclear whether he died during the raid or afterward in Gaza. Demonstrations in Tel Aviv over the weekend called on the government to halt concessions until his remains are returned.

Former Israeli intelligence officer and peace negotiator Lianne Pollak-David said the issue is deeply significant for Israelis and unlikely to be accepted by the public if unresolved.

Since October, Hamas has released 20 living hostages and returned the bodies of 27 others. Some analysts believe Israel’s insistence on Gvili’s remains may serve as a pretext to delay troop withdrawals from the 53% of Gaza currently under Israeli control.

Daniel Levy, a former Israeli negotiator, said Netanyahu has little intention of pulling back further or allowing an international force that could limit Israeli military operations. He suggested Netanyahu still has several strategic options to delay progress.

With elections expected within 10 months, Netanyahu is also focused on Iran’s efforts to rebuild its nuclear and missile capabilities following recent clashes with Israel and the US. While Trump previously claimed Iran’s nuclear programme had been destroyed, he said on Monday that any renewed buildup would prompt swift action.

Trump warned that if Iran’s misconduct were confirmed, the response would be even stronger than before, though he acknowledged the information was based on unverified reports.

Netanyahu appeared to seek political momentum from the meeting, once again praising Trump as Israel’s strongest ally. He said awarding Trump the Israel Prize was a deliberate break from tradition to recognise his contributions to Israel and the Jewish people.

The honour follows Trump’s failure to secure a Nobel peace prize this year, though he did receive a Fifa peace award — which critics dismissed as a symbolic gesture.