Presidential authorization remains available for immediate Israeli military reentry into Gaza should Hamas fail to meet ceasefire obligations, Donald Trump revealed to CNN on Wednesday, declaring Israeli forces could resume operations "as soon as I say the word." Trump addressed Hamas compliance during the Wednesday telephone interview with CNN, stating, "What's going on with Hamas – that'll be straightened out quickly."
Israeli accusations focus on Hamas' inadequate hostage returns, generating significant domestic anger and prompting Israeli authorities to inform the UN that Gaza humanitarian aid shipments will face reductions or delays, CNN reported. Trump's 20-point peace plan required all hostages to be returned within 72 hours, yet only 20 living hostages and eight bodies have been delivered, with Israeli military determining one body doesn't belong to an Israeli hostage, CNN reported. However, two senior US advisers told CNN following Trump's Tuesday conversation that America doesn't consider Hamas to be violating commitments, stating the group provided assurances through mediators to locate remaining bodies potentially buried under rubble from two years of warfare.
Violent clashes between Hamas and rival factions have erupted since hostage releases, including apparent public executions, CNN reported. Hamas currently is "going in and clearing out the gangs, violent gangs," Trump told CNN, though regarding possible executions of innocent Palestinians, the president stated, "I'm doing research on it" and "We'll find out about it. It could be gangs plus." Trump's peace plan contemplates Hamas disarmament and no governance role in a demilitarized Gaza under independent monitoring, though the administration acknowledges significant work remains beyond phase one.
When CNN asked what happens if Hamas refuses disarmament, Trump responded, "I think about it" before declaring, "Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word. If Israel could go in and knock the crap out of them, they'd do that." Regarding the IDF and Netanyahu administration, Trump told CNN, "I had to hold them back" and "I had it out with Bibi."
Presidential optimism about long-term peace prospects stems from robust regional support, with Trump telling CNN that "Fifty-nine countries are part of this," referring to nations attending an Egyptian ceremony signing the "Trump Peace Agreement" principles or expressing support. "We've never seen anything like this. Now it's all happening. They want to be part of the Abraham Accords. Now that Iran isn't a problem," the president stated to CNN.
