With the Gaza ceasefire hanging by a thread, former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning that Hamas will be compelled to disarm if they refuse voluntarily.
Speaking at the White House, Trump stressed that America is prepared to act decisively—and potentially forcefully—to ensure the group gives up its weapons.
Hostages Released but Peace Deal Remains Fragile
Trump returned from Egypt late Monday night after signing a historic ceasefire and visiting Israel, where he witnessed the release of 20 hostages by Hamas.
Despite the celebratory scenes, the peace deal’s durability remains uncertain after two years of conflict that has claimed over 70,000 lives.
His 20-point peace plan demands that Hamas disarm and return the bodies of all deceased hostages—commitments that have not yet been fully met.
On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the Red Cross was en route to collect additional coffins in Gaza after four hostages’ remains were released.
Twenty-four hostages’ bodies promised under the agreement are still missing.
Experts Warn of a Precarious Situation
Lianne Pollack-David, a former senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the ceasefire as dangerously fragile.
She warned that the agreement risks collapse if Hamas fails to hand over the remains of all deceased hostages.
The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, an Israeli advocacy group, has already accused Hamas of breaching the deal by not releasing all the remains.
The current situation is tense: the IDF has partially withdrawn to what is being called the “yellow line,” roughly a 50 percent pullback, but any violation by Hamas could prompt a rapid reversal.
Pollack-David emphasized that this is not a full peace agreement, but a tentative ceasefire with a terrorist organization, leaving many key issues unresolved.
Hamas Defiance and Psychological Tactics
Pollack-David pointed out that Hamas has been using psychological tactics to maintain control over hostages, including allowing family members brief contact to signal that the group still holds power. “I don’t expect Hamas to wave a white flag anytime soon.
They’ll do whatever they can to survive, and these tactics are already underway,” she said.
She warned that Hamas’s next moves could jeopardize the entire deal.
Trump’s Regional Strategy Gains Praise
Despite these challenges, Pollack-David commended Trump for compelling regional players such as Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt to take active responsibility for Gaza, rather than remaining passive observers.
“What President Trump did very smartly is put a lot of responsibility on the regional players… instead of just talking, he’s telling them, put your skin in the game,” she said.
She also noted concerns over key actors like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, describing them as moderate and forward-looking voices in the Middle East who have so far played a limited role in the process.
Meanwhile, Qatar and Turkey, long-time supporters of Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, have taken a prominent role.
The United States as the Arbiter of Peace
Ultimately, Pollack-David argued that the U.S., rather than the current Israeli government, will determine whether lasting peace is achieved. “The US will be the judge of long-term peace.
I wish it were Israel, but it can’t happen with the current government that mixes ultra-right wing ideology with security considerations,” she said.
She added that Trump’s approach, though potentially inconvenient for some, is necessary to steer Israel toward a more sustainable peace.g