Trump issues chilling warning to Hamas as Gaza deal on the brink

Donald Trump has warned that the United States would step in to disarm Hamas if the group failed to surrender its weapons, as the Gaza ceasefire entered a tense third day. Speaking to reporters in Washington, the US President said: "If Hamas does not disarm within a reasonable period of time, then we will disarm them."

His blunt message came as evidence grew that Hamas was using the truce to reassert control over Gaza, with videos showing fighters executing alleged "collaborators" in the streets of Gaza City and other districts now back under the group's control. But Israel faced its first immediate test of the ceasefire after officials confirmed that one of four bodies handed over by Hamas was not an Israeli hostage but an unidentified Palestinian.

Israeli officials reacted with fury, accusing Hamas of deception and warning that any further breach would end the ceasefire.

"Israel will not tolerate trickery or delay when it comes to our people, living or dead," one senior Government source said.

"If this pattern continues, operations will resume immediately."

Hamas' decision to mobilise thousands of armed militia and police officers does not bode well for phase two of the Trump peace plan, which is conditioned on Hamas disarming and giving up all power in Gaza.

Footage circulating online meanwhile showed Hamas fighters executing alleged "collaborators" in Gaza City.

Masked gunmen forced men to their knees before shooting them at close range as crowds shouted "collaborator".

Other clips showed armed men from Hamas's internal security force patrolling markets in the Zeitoun area and firing on unarmed suspects.

Speaking to the Daily Express, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel said that while the ceasefire was under strain, Mr Trump remained the only leader capable of forcing Hamas to disarm without another war.

"Our Government, our country, decided to give Trump's peace plan a chance. Trump's heart is in the right place, and we're really there with an open heart too. We really hope for peace and stability," she said.

She added that Mr Trump's declaration "wouldn't have come unless he knew he had guarantees from countries that have major influence on Hamas to disarm."

With Iran effectively out of the picture, she said, the task would fall on Qatar, Turkey and Egypt.

"Having Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt pressing on Hamas on Trump's behalf is the key to actually disarming them, and only Trump has the leverage to do that," she said.

"The leadership of Hamas are residing and living in Qatar and Turkey with fat bank accounts containing billions. They can exert huge pressure on Hamas.

"There's a lot of the leadership assets that can be in danger by the pressure of those Arab countries as well, and Hamas's leadership depends on that.

"They will need to make a choice."

It was also possible that Gazans themselves, desperate to rebuild their homes, could turn against Hamas - though she admitted this would not be easy.

"We are seeing jaw-dropping videos of massive crowds cheering on executions in Gaza today," she said.

"This is an entire population that's been indoctrinated for 20 years by a terrorist organisation, educating children as young as three to murder them to death to destruction to violence. This is an extremely complicated situation where this population has been radicalised."

She added: "Hundreds of Hamas opposition people who spoke against Hamas are being butchered, executed, abducted, tortured in Gaza in the streets.

"And I have to point out that you won't see demonstrations now in London calling for the safety of Palestinians, calling to stop the murder of Palestinians by Hamas, because those protesters don't really care for the Palestinians. They only hate Israel."

Regional expert Megan Sutcliffe of Sibylline agreed that pressure from Qatar, Turkey and Egypt would be the first step, but added: "That pressure may well resonate with the political wing of Hamas for sure, but whether or not that will resonate with the militant wing of Hamas within Gaza remains to be seen.

"If Hamas does not agree to disarm, the US will back Israel in essentially resuming some operations."

Returning a wrong body could be a potential turning point.

In February, Hamas also returned the wrong body when it agreed to hand back the remains of Shiri Babas.

The 32-year-old was taken hostage along with her husband, Yarden, 35, and their two young children - Ariel, 4, and nine-month-old Kfir - from their home in Nir Oz kibbutz during Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7.

The entire family was subsequently killed.

"If this was intentional from Hamas, I think that speaks to their cynicism as an organisation," she said.

"Hostage returns are an absolute red line for Israel. If Hamas is seen to be failing deliberately, Israel will take direct action."

It was already known that locating nine of the 28 deceased hostages was going to be problematic, but to face such difficulties after only eight have been returned is "extremely concerning".

A special team from Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and the United States has now been assembled to assist Hamas in locating and identifying the remaining bodies. If that process fails, Israeli forces may first try to retrieve them themselves.

"There will always be the option for us to go back and recover them ourselves," Ms Haskel confirmed.

"But we prefer that an international force or Hamas will return our hostages to us."

Another lever is aid, as Hamas continues to hoard supplies and manipulate market prices to strengthen control.

As Israel agreed to reopen the Rafah crossing, some 400 lorries carrying aid were heading for Gaza. Much will go to north Gaza, where more than 300,000 displaced people have returned in recent days.

"The release of deceased hostages is going to be a very sensitive trigger for aid deliveries," said Sutcliffe.

"Restricting aid remains the main way that Israel can contest what it views as violations of the ceasefire without resuming military operations."

In the meantime, 5,000 Israeli troops remain in position behind their new line.

Ms Haskel said Israel would continue to prefer diplomacy but would act if left with no choice.

"When it comes to disarming Hamas, Israel will always choose a diplomatic path over war. We never wanted this war," she said.

"But if this fails, if there is no other way and we are left with nothing, then there is always the other path: a military campaign."