Français
Español
English
Portuguese
“Hamas is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly, or the other Countries involved in this GREAT PEACE will take action,” Trump wrote.
By United with Israel Staff
President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas on Saturday evening, demanding that the terror group immediately return the bodies of Israeli and American hostages still held in Gaza or face international repercussions.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he is aware that Hamas is deliberately withholding the remains of some of those killed on October 7, in direct violation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month.
Under the terms of that deal, Hamas is obligated to locate and hand over the bodies of 13 Israeli hostages confirmed dead in captivity. The group has claimed that it cannot find all of the remains, an explanation Israeli intelligence officials have dismissed as false.
According to Israeli assessments shared with international mediators, Hamas has access to at least 10 of the bodies but is refusing to release them for political leverage.
“Hamas is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly, or the other Countries involved in this GREAT PEACE will take action,” Trump wrote.
The two Americans referenced by the president are Itai Chen and Omer Neutra, both dual Israeli-American citizens who were serving in the IDF when they were killed during Hamas’ October 7 onslaught. Their bodies were taken into Gaza by terrorists and have yet to be returned.
Trump acknowledged that some of the remains may be in areas difficult to access but said others could easily be recovered. He accused Hamas of dragging its feet to delay further stages of the ceasefire process.
“Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now and, for some reason, they are not,” he said. “Perhaps it has to do with their disarming, but when I said, ‘Both sides would be treated fairly,’ that only applies if they comply with their obligations.”
Israeli analysts say Hamas’ refusal to comply with the agreement is part of a calculated strategy. Phase One of the ceasefire requires the terror group to return all the bodies before moving to Phase Two, which mandates Hamas’s disarmament and the transfer of governing control in Gaza to another authority.
By stalling the recovery of the hostages’ remains, Hamas appears to be buying time and resisting the disarmament clause that would effectively strip it of power.
Trump said that his patience is running out. “Let’s see what [Hamas does] over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely,” he said.
It remains unclear what specific measures the United States or other mediators might take if Hamas ignores Trump’s warning. However, his message leaves little room for ambiguity. Continued defiance by Hamas could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire and provoke a strong international response.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
