Israel Trump threatens Hamas - Netanyahu: Will complete victory
US President Donald Trump has threatened the terrorist organization with violence in light of alleged executions in the Gaza Strip by the Islamist Hamas. "If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not part of the agreement (on the current ceasefire), we will have no choice but to go in and kill them," he wrote on the Truth Social platform. At the same time, Trump pointed out that Hamas had handed over more hostage bodies in accordance with the agreement. However, the Islamists want to continue the fight against Israel. And Israel wants to defeat Hamas.
17.10.2025, 05:49
SDA
When asked later in the White House, Trump made it clear that US forces would not take action against Hamas if it did not stop killing. There are people "very close by" who would do that - probably meaning Israel's army. They could do it easily, but under the patronage of the USA. On Tuesday, Trump did not appear to be particularly concerned about Hamas' violence. It had cracked down on "very, very bad gangs" and that didn't bother him much. On the same day, Trump then warned Hamas to give up their weapons. "And if they don't disarm, we will disarm them, and that will happen quickly and perhaps violently," he said.
Hamas: Returning more hostage bodies takes time
Trump also pointed out that Hamas had handed over further hostage bodies to Israel. "They have also said that they will behave. We'll find out if they behave. If they behave, fine," Trump said. If not, "we'll take care of it." Meanwhile, the terrorist organization reiterated in a statement that night that the repatriation of more hostage bodies would take time.
Some of these bodies were located in tunnels destroyed by Israel's army, others under the rubble of bombed buildings, it said. In order to recover the bodies of other hostages, heavy machinery and equipment would be needed to remove the rubble, which could not be brought in at present because Israel was refusing to import them, the statement added.
According to the agreement on the ceasefire that has been in force for a week, Hamas must hand over a total of 28 hostage bodies to Israel. So far, it has handed over the remains of nine hostages. The terrorist organization added in the announcement that it would continue to adhere to the agreement. It also blamed Israel for the delay in returning the hostages. Israel is calling on Hamas to hand over all the dead hostages and is threatening to return to war in the Gaza Strip if the agreement is not adhered to.
Opening of the border between Gaza and Egypt delayed
Meanwhile, the opening of the border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt continues to be delayed. Preparations for the opening of the Rafah crossing for the movement of people in accordance with the ceasefire agreement are continuing in cooperation between Israel and Egypt, according to the responsible Israeli authority Cogat. Egyptian sources said that the opening could be delayed until Sunday.
A Cogat spokesperson reiterated that Rafah would not be used as a passageway for humanitarian aid deliveries even after the opening for the movement of people. "This was never agreed at any time," he said. Humanitarian aid would continue to be transported to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing and other border crossings. Aid deliveries had been expanded as part of the agreement. In the first phase, around 600 trucks per day were to enter Gaza. Following a partial withdrawal of its troops, Israel still controls more than half of the coastal strip.
US advisor: reconstruction initially only in Hamas-free zones
Meanwhile, advisors to US President Trump have made it clear that they are urging the two parties to the conflict to move on to the next phase of the peace process. According to Trump's 20-point plan, a government of technocrats would have to be formed for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in this phase. According to the plan, Hamas would not be involved in this, but would be disarmed - something the terrorist organization has so far rejected.
According to the plan, an international peacekeeping force (ISF) would provide security. Reconstruction would initially only begin in areas not under Hamas control, US advisors explained. All of this will take a long time to negotiate. It is not foreseeable whether the agreement will actually lead to a long-term end to the fighting in Gaza.
Hamas and Israel demonstrate toughness
On the first anniversary of the killing of its leader, Jihia al-Sinwar, Hamas vowed to continue the armed struggle against Israel. The flame will not go out, it said, referring to the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed in Israel and more than 250 others were deported to Gaza. Sinwar was considered the mastermind of the terrorist attack that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, almost 68,000 people were killed in the war, including many women and children.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel's determination to take action against the strengthening of its enemies. Iran and its allies had surrounded Israel with a "ring of fire" and tried to "strangle" the Jewish state after the Hamas massacre, Netanyahu said in Jerusalem at a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers. This had not succeeded. "We are determined to complete the victory that will affect our lives for years to come." Israel will "achieve all the war aims", said Netanyahu. This also includes the destruction of Hamas.
