Trump Warns Hamas Over Gaza Executions, Says Violence "was not the deal"

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on October 16, 2025, that if Hamas continues killing people in Gaza, "we will have no choice but to go in and kill them," marking a sharp escalation in rhetoric just days after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire aimed to end the Israel-Hamas war. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated the violence "was not the deal," referencing his 20-point peace plan that secured the release of 20 living Israeli hostages and nine deceased ones by October 13 in exchange for Israel's withdrawal from parts of the Gaza Strip and the release of over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners. These acts, which Hamas framed as targeting "traitors", have heightened fears of internal power consolidation by the group amid the fragile truce.

Trump's statement reversed his earlier comments on October 14, when he suggested he had given Hamas "approval for a period of time" to address "very bad gangs," drawing comparisons to U.S. actions against Venezuelan cartels. By October 15, amid international outcry, Trump told CNN he was conducting "more research" and that the killings could involve "gangs plus", while U.S. Central Command's commander urged Hamas to halt attacks on "innocent Palestinian civilians" and disarm immediately.

The shift underscores tensions in implementing Trump's plan, which requires Hamas to fully disarm, relinquish governance, and allow an international force—potentially including troops from Indonesia, the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, and Italy—to stabilise and demilitarise Gaza. Hamas has returned only nine of 28 promised deceased hostages' bodies, citing destruction in tunnels from prior Israeli strikes, prompting Israel to threaten aid restrictions and reoccupation. Israeli families of the remaining captives demanded the ceasefire's termination, calling the delay

Later Thursday, Trump clarified to reporters that "somebody will go in" to Gaza, but "it's not going to be us," implying Israeli or multinational forces would handle enforcement, consistent with his stance against U.S. troop deployment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a call with Trump, reiterated no compromises on hostages, while Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered preparations for resuming operations if Hamas fails to comply.

Analysts note the plan's challenges: Hamas has agreed to technocratic governance but resists full disarmament, risking a return to status quo violence or renewed war. Meanwhile, a video from an Israeli-backed militia in southern Gaza appealed to Trump for protection against Hamas reprisals, highlighting local fractures. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain reportedly warned the U.S. against trusting Qatar's mediation and conditioned reconstruction aid on verified disarmament.

Also Read: Historic Ceasefire Sees Palestinians Return to Gaza’s North Amid Massive Destruction

The developments coincide with the second anniversary of Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and sparked the war, killing over 42,000 Palestinians, per Gaza health authorities.

As mediators from Egypt and Qatar push for Phase 2 talks in Sharm El Sheikh, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff emphasised a "terror-free" Gaza with jobs and education but warned of "no future" for Hamas. With aid trucks entering Gaza amid clashes—480 reported on October 15—the truce hangs by a thread, testing the limits of diplomacy in a conflict that has displaced millions and strained global relations

Also Read: Donald Trump Urges Israel to Pause Gaza Offensive for Ceasefire Talks