A fragile ceasefire in Gaza faces new challenges as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Hamas, while major issues over the group's disarmament and Gaza's future governance remain unresolved. The threat came just days after a U.S.-brokered deal temporarily halted a two-year war that has devastated the Palestinian territory .
President Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas on his Truth Social platform. He stated that if the group "continues to kill people in Gaza," the United States would have "no choice but to go in and kill them" . He later clarified to reporters that American troops would not be the ones entering Gaza, suggesting instead that "people very close, very nearby" would do so under U.S. direction, an apparent reference to Israeli forces .
This threat marks a shift in tone. Earlier in the week, Trump had appeared less concerned about Hamas's actions, noting it had "taken out a couple of gangs that were very bad" . His latest comments underscore the tense and uncertain atmosphere surrounding the truce.
The ceasefire, based on a 20-point plan from the Trump administration, began on October 9, 2025 . Its initial phase saw the release of the final 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas. In exchange, Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, about 1,700 of whom were seized from Gaza during the war and held without charge .
Despite the calm, the agreement is being tested. Israel has accused Hamas of violating the deal by failing to return the remains of all deceased hostages. Hamas claims it needs specialized equipment to recover bodies from the rubble of destroyed buildings . Aid agencies confirm the practical difficulties of this task .
Meanwhile, Israel has faced accusations of breaking the truce. Hamas officials say Israeli forces have killed at least two dozen Palestinians in shootings since the ceasefire began . The Israeli military has said it opened fire on individuals it considered a threat for approaching its positions .
A major point of contention is the flow of humanitarian aid. International agencies report that Israel has not fulfilled its commitment to allow a sufficient surge of assistance into Gaza . The World Health Organization has warned that infectious diseases are "spiralling out of control" and that most of Gaza's hospitals are not fully functioning . The territory also faces a massive reconstruction effort, with the World Bank estimating a need for $53 billion to rebuild the shattered infrastructure .
The core of the Trump administration's plan requires Hamas to disarm and relinquish its role in governing Gaza . President Trump has been explicit on this point, stating, "They will disarm, and if they don’t do so, we will disarm them, and it’ll happen quickly and perhaps violently" . However, it remains unclear if Hamas has explicitly agreed to this condition.
The U.S. plan proposes that an international body govern Gaza, overseeing Palestinian technocrats approved by Israel . It also calls for an Arab-led peacekeeping force to provide security . For now, Hamas police have reappeared in areas from which Israeli forces have withdrawn, filling a security vacuum .
The future of the ceasefire may depend on successfully implementing these security and governance structures. Analysts note that standing up an international force is a complex and time-consuming process . Until an alternative security force is established, the only armed groups in Gaza will be Israel and Hamas, creating a risk that the conflict could restart .
The ceasefire has allowed thousands of displaced Palestinians to begin returning to their home areas in northern Gaza. They are often driven by desperation rather than confidence in their safety, with many finding their homes destroyed . Satellite analysis estimates that nearly 200,000 buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged since the war began, with Gaza City being one of the worst-hit areas .
The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed about 1,200 people . The subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry .
As the situation remains precarious, the focus is on maintaining the truce and addressing the immense humanitarian needs. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the ceasefire can evolve into a more lasting peace or if the threats of renewed violence will prevail.