Trump warns Hamas to disarm under US-brokered Gaza plan

US President Donald Trump has said Hamas must lay down its weapons as part of a ceasefire and political framework backed by Washington, warning that if the group does not disarm voluntarily it will be forcibly disarmed.

He made the remarks at the White House on Tuesday, 14 October, during an appearance with Argentina’s president, Javier Milei.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Trump said disarmament formed a requirement within the wider process the United States has promoted since a summit in Egypt on 13 October, where he joined representatives of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey in signing a document in support of a Gaza ceasefire arrangement. He did not set out an enforcement mechanism, but stated any move would be rapid and could involve the use of force.

The declaration came as the initial phase of the truce continued to hold, albeit under strain. The ceasefire has been accompanied by a large-scale exchange: Israel has released Palestinian detainees while Hamas has freed the remaining living Israeli hostages. Disputes persist over the timetable and handling of the bodies of deceased hostages, and Israel has curtailed some aid shipments into Gaza, citing delays and non-compliance. Humanitarian agencies report that anticipated increases in relief have yet to materialise.

Mr Trump has in recent days characterised the Gaza war as “over”, positioning the ceasefire as the opening to a broader regional normalisation effort and a multi-phase plan for reconstruction and governance. He reiterated that demilitarisation of Hamas is a condition for Gaza’s stabilisation, though he acknowledged the complexity of security arrangements during any transition.

Hamas has not publicly confirmed an agreement to disarm. Mr Trump said intermediaries had conveyed the requirement and that the group had signalled assent, a claim that could not be independently verified on Tuesday evening. Analysts and some mediators have cautioned that the durability of the ceasefire will hinge on sequencing, verification and the role of external guarantors.

The Egypt summit on 13 October produced a political statement by the United States and the three regional mediators, setting out principles for the truce and post-conflict arrangements. The text emphasised steps to end hostilities and outlined support for reconstruction and governance planning, though it stopped short of explicit positions on final-status questions. Leaders from Europe and the region attended the gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh.

In Washington, the optics of the Milei visit placed the disarmament message against a broader foreign-policy backdrop. The White House reception for the Argentine president—who has pursued close ties with the United States—came amid reports of a US financial backstop for Buenos Aires and followed Mr Trump’s own travel to Israel and Egypt for ceasefire diplomacy. The meeting provided the setting for his latest remarks on Gaza.

Operational questions remain unresolved. Israeli authorities have indicated that aid volumes will be linked to compliance with the exchange schedule and other obligations under the truce, while Palestinian casualties were reported in isolated incidents despite the general quiet. International monitors say verification of weapons handover, border controls, and the phasing of security responsibilities will be central to any shift from a ceasefire to a sustainable settlement.

The United States has presented the ceasefire as the first stage of a multi-point plan that includes humanitarian relief, reconstruction planning and a reform of governance in Gaza, with roles for regional actors. Egypt has described the initiative as a potential “last chance” for a broader peace effort if momentum is maintained and pressure is applied on all sides to meet commitments.

Mr Trump’s warning places added focus on the coming phases of implementation: whether Hamas will accept verified disarmament; how security responsibilities will be arranged during any transition period; and what assurances will underpin the ceasefire if disputes over exchanges, aid corridors and administrative control persist. For now, the truce is intact but fragile, and the central disarmament question—posed publicly by the US president—remains unanswered by Hamas.