Trump threatens Hamas with dire consequences during Netanyahu meeting
In a new escalation of the US rhetoric regarding the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, US President Donald Trump issued a strongly worded warning to Hamas, threatening the group with a "heavy price" if it fails to comply with the disarmament requirements within the specified timeframe. This came during a joint press conference he held with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, where the two discussed the military and political developments of the conflict.
Details of the American threat and the terms of the truce
During his remarks to reporters, Trump emphasized that adherence to the proposed agreements requires swift and practical steps, stating, "If they don't give up their weapons, which they previously agreed to, they will have to pay a heavy price." He added, stressing the urgency of the matter, "They have to give up their weapons within a relatively short period of time," indicating that the United States would not waver in its support for its ally Israel to ensure its security.
The US president announced his full support for Netanyahu’s hardline stance regarding moving to the next stages of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, explaining: “I am not worried about anything Israel does, but I am worried about what others do or perhaps do not do. The Israelis have adhered to the plan that was put in place.”.
Political context and strategic alliance
These statements reinforce the depth of the strategic alliance between Washington and Tel Aviv, which has witnessed significant development during Trump's presidency. From his historic decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognize it as Israel's capital, to his sponsorship of the Abraham Accords, Trump has continued to pursue a policy of "maximum pressure" on Israel's adversaries in the region. This new threat to Hamas is interpreted as part of a US vision aimed at fundamentally altering the security landscape in the Gaza Strip, ensuring that the events of October 7th are not repeated.
The importance of disarmament in Gaza negotiations
The issue of disarming Palestinian factions in Gaza is one of the most complex points in the ongoing negotiations mediated by regional and international parties such as Egypt and Qatar. While Israel, backed by the US position, insists that any lasting solution must include the disarmament of the Gaza Strip, Hamas considers its weapons a key bargaining chip and a guarantee of its survival.
Observers believe that Trump's statements place additional pressure on mediators and tighten the noose around the movement, potentially impacting the ceasefire negotiations and prisoner exchange. Furthermore, linking disarmament to a "short timeframe" suggests a US-Israeli desire to resolve outstanding issues quickly, paving the way for the post-war phase, or "the day after," in Gaza, which will require entirely new security and administrative arrangements.
Expected regional repercussions
These statements are expected to elicit mixed reactions regionally and internationally, with some parties fearing that insisting on disarmament by force will prolong the conflict and broaden its scope. Conversely, the US administration believes that eliminating Hamas's military capabilities is the only way to achieve long-term stability in the Middle East and pave the way for normalization and regional peace initiatives.
