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By Peter Aitken
Politics Weekend Editor
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President Donald Trump on Thursday issued a new warning to Hamas amid accusations from Israel the organization has already reneged on its ceasefire obligations.
in a message posted to Truth Social on Thursday, Trump wrote that if Hamas "continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them."
Newsweek reached out to the White House by email on Thursday afternoon for additional comment and clarification.
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Why It Matters
The past few days have already tested Trump's ceasefire agreement, which has ended warfare in Gaza.
Hamas allegedly did not return all of the hostages within the originally mandated timeframe, leading Trump on Wednesday to say he would authorize Israeli forces to return to the streets of Gaza if Hamas did not release all of the hostages, living and deceased.
Hamas is also required to disarm and cede control of the territory as one of the key points in the ceasefire deal.
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What To Know
The newest threat follows reports of fresh violence in Gaza as Hamas cracks down on gangs in the territory. Trump earlier this week said that Hamas had taken out "a couple of gangs," which "didn't bother me much, to be honest."
In his message posted Thursday on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Hamas has clashed with armed groups and gangsters as the organization attempts to reassert control in the post-conflict Gaza Strip in areas from which Israeli forces have withdrawn. However, the show of force - welcomed by some Palestinians following months of lawlessness - could threaten the truce with Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the war will not end until Hamas has been dismantled - going a step beyond Trump's requirement for the group to merely disarm and cede control to an international supervised body.
Hamas has not fully accepted the terms, saying further negotiations must take place, even as Hamas officials say they are willing to hand power to other Palestinians.
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What People Are Saying
Far-right political commentator Nick Fuentes wrote on X: "So now Trump is threatening to destroy Hamas with the US military, which he recently deployed to Israel. Just when you thought the situation couldn’t get any worse, the “peace deal” might draw us even further into the war. Incredible."
Progressive political influencer Hasan Piker earlier this week wrote on X: "israel is hellbent on continuing its genocide regardless of the international support trump got for committing them to a ceasefire. i worry that trump will pull another biden & falsely claim hamas is not abiding by the conditions and let israel violate peace again. just like jan"
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Update 10/16/25, 4:11 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information, comment, and context.
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