Trump Vows to Disarm Hamas 'Perhaps Violently' if Necessary While Demanding Return of Hostage Bodies

US President Donald Trump firmly stated on Tuesday that the US "will disarm" Hamas if the Palestinian group refuses to surrender their weapons, while also demanding they return the bodies of hostages still in their possession.

The President made these comments following his Middle East tour celebrating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, as questions remain about the next phases of the Israel-Hamas deal.

"If they don't disarm, we will disarm them," Trump declared to reporters at the White House after returning from his visits to Israel and Egypt. "And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently."

Trump claimed he had communicated with Hamas through intermediaries, stating, "I spoke to Hamas and I said 'you're gonna disarm and they said 'yes sir, we're going to disarm.'" He specified that this message was conveyed "through my people" rather than direct contact.

The President did not provide details on who would be involved in potentially disarming Hamas, leaving unclear whether US forces would participate in such an operation.

Hamas has consistently refused to disarm despite this being a crucial component of the next phase in Trump's 20-point plan for a ceasefire and long-term peace agreement in the Middle East.

Another contentious issue remains the bodies of 24 dead hostages still held by Hamas, even after the release of all 20 living hostages on Monday. The militant group returned only four bodies as part of the initial exchange.

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir threatened to halt aid supplies to Gaza if Hamas fails to return the remains of soldiers still in their custody.

Trump emphasized the incomplete nature of the agreement on his Truth Social network, writing: "ALL TWENTY HOSTAGES ARE BACK AND FEELING AS GOOD AS CAN BE EXPECTED. A big burden has been lifted, but the job IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED! Phase Two begins right NOW!!!"

During his Middle East visit, the US President had proclaimed a "historic dawn of a new Middle East" as he and regional leaders signed a declaration intended to solidify the Gaza ceasefire.

As part of the deal ending the war, a Gaza hospital reported receiving the bodies of 45 Palestinians returned by Israel.