Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that Israel could resume its military campaign in Gaza immediately if Hamas fails to fully comply with the terms of the current ceasefire deal. The president made clear that Israeli forces were on standby and that their return to combat was merely a matter of his directive.
“Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word,” Trump said. “If Israel could go in and knock the crap out of them, they’d do that. I had to hold them back.”
The president’s remarks come amid growing frustration in Israel over delays in the handover of hostages, particularly the remains of deceased individuals by Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. Although the ceasefire, brokered under a multi-party agreement, has largely held, tensions remain high due to Hamas’s incomplete compliance with the terms.
Hostage Exchange: Progress and Gaps
The ceasefire agreement, outlined in a 20-point peace plan authored by the Trump administration, requires Hamas to return all hostages, both alive and deceased, within 72 hours of Israel’s formal acceptance of the deal. As of Wednesday morning, 20 living hostages had been released and returned to Israel. However, only four bodies have been handed over so far. Israeli military officials have stated that one of those bodies does not belong to any known hostage, raising questions about Hamas’s control over or access to the remaining remains.
Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that an additional four or five bodies were expected to be transferred to Israel by Wednesday night. In the meantime, Israeli authorities have reportedly slowed the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza in protest over the incomplete handover of the deceased, warning the United Nations of potential delays in relief efforts.
Trump emphasized that the rescue of living hostages was the top priority, saying, “Getting those 20 hostages out was paramount.”
Uncertainty Around Hamas and Gaza’s Future
The president also addressed the internal dynamics within Gaza, describing ongoing clashes between Hamas and rival armed groups. He referenced an apparent public execution in Gaza, hinting at a power struggle taking place behind the scenes. When asked whether Hamas was executing innocent Palestinians, Trump said, “I’m doing research on it… It could be gangs plus.”
He reiterated the administration’s broader vision for Gaza, which includes the eventual disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of an independently monitored, demilitarized territory. Under Point 6 of the peace plan, Hamas members who disarm and pledge peaceful coexistence would be granted amnesty, while those wishing to leave Gaza would be given safe passage to other countries.
The question remains: what if Hamas refuses to disarm?
“I think about it,” Trump said, before restating that military action remains an option. “What’s going on with Hamas that’ll be straightened out quickly.”
A Broader Peace Framework
Trump expressed optimism about the long-term prospects for regional stability. He said that 59 countries had expressed support for the ceasefire agreement, either by attending a recent signing ceremony in Egypt or issuing statements in favor of what has been branded the “Trump Peace Agreement.” He linked this momentum to the broader framework of the Abraham Accords and suggested that, with Iran no longer viewed as an immediate threat, more countries in the region were eager to join the normalization process.
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” Trump said. “Now it’s all happening.”
From Gaza to Ukraine
The president also touched on his efforts to end the war in Ukraine, noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected to visit the White House on Friday. “I’m working hard on the Russian thing,” Trump said, before musing on which conflict Ukraine or the Middle East would be the bigger diplomatic accomplishment.
“One’s been going on for three years, the other three thousand,” he quipped.
Trump and the Media
In closing, Trump returned to a familiar theme: his criticism of the media. He targeted ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos over a recent interview with Vice President JD Vance, while voicing cautious optimism that CBS News might become “fairer” under new management.
“I don’t expect them to become like Fox,” Trump said. “Just fair.”
Although he has not granted CNN a sit-down interview since 2016, the president said he would consider it, signaling a possible shift in his media strategy as he looks to frame himself as a global dealmaker amid multiple international crises.
As the ceasefire in Gaza hangs in the balance and negotiations over the future of the territory continue, the Trump administration’s peace plan appears to be at a critical juncture. Whether the process leads to lasting calm or a resumption of conflict may depend on decisions made in the coming days, both in Gaza and in Washington.
