US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Hamas must disarm or the terrorist group will be disarmed. "If they don't disarm, we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently," Trump said later during a meeting at the White House with Argentine President Javier Milei.
Trump stated earlier that "the job IS NOT DONE" after Hamas violated the 72-hour deadline set for the return of all hostages, living and dead, from captivity in Gaza in a social media post. "Phase Two begins right NOW!!!" Trump stated, referring to the next phase in implementing his Gaza peace plan.
An Israeli diplomat told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday that while phase one included the return of all hostages, phase two generally aims to demilitarize Gaza and preliminarily establish a temporary Palestinian government. Hamas was given 72 hours to return all hostages, living and dead, since both Hamas and Israeli negotiating teams agreed upon the deal.
The deadline passed on Monday, with the remains of 24 deceased hostages still in Hamas custody. In response to Hamas violating the deadline, Israel restricted the flow of aid being allowed into the Gaza Strip. Egyptian teams entered the Gaza Strip and are participating in attempts to locate any remains that Hamas terrorists may have misplaced over the past two years of war. On Tuesday evening, Hamas announced its intention to return four more sets of hostage remains to Israel. (Source)
