US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas, calling for the group's complete disarmament as part of the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire with Israel. The move comes amid rising tensions and ongoing violence in Gaza.
In a late-night post on social media, Trump vowed to push for "comprehensive demilitarization" of Hamas, stating that any refusal to comply would result in severe consequences. He also demanded the return of the remains of the last Israeli captive believed to be held by the group, further straining relations between Israel and Hamas.
The ceasefire's second phase has shifted from mere fighting cessation to a more ambitious agenda of transitional governance, demilitarization, and reconstruction in Gaza. This marks a significant escalation of diplomatic efforts, but persistent violence from the Israeli military remains a concern.
At least 451 Palestinians have been reported killed since the ceasefire took effect last October. Trump will chair a "board of peace" tasked with overseeing reconstruction, economic recovery, and transition processes in Gaza. Tony Blair is reportedly expected to join this board alongside Trump's advisers, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
The group leading Gaza's civil administration during the transition, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), consists of technocrats and experts rather than politicians. Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority, has been appointed to lead this committee.
Reconstruction efforts are expected to be costly, with estimates suggesting it could exceed $70 billion over several decades. The UN has described Israel's war in Gaza as creating a "human-made abyss".
In an effort to restore basic services and kickstart early recovery, medical sources have reported six Palestinians killed and others wounded in Israeli airstrikes on Thursday.
Gaza remains a precarious place, with life disrupted by ongoing violence and recent storms exacerbating the crisis. The collapse of flimsy tents housing displaced Palestinians has resulted in at least four deaths, while Unicef reports 100 children have been killed since October's ceasefire began.
In a late-night post on social media, Trump vowed to push for "comprehensive demilitarization" of Hamas, stating that any refusal to comply would result in severe consequences. He also demanded the return of the remains of the last Israeli captive believed to be held by the group, further straining relations between Israel and Hamas.
The ceasefire's second phase has shifted from mere fighting cessation to a more ambitious agenda of transitional governance, demilitarization, and reconstruction in Gaza. This marks a significant escalation of diplomatic efforts, but persistent violence from the Israeli military remains a concern.
At least 451 Palestinians have been reported killed since the ceasefire took effect last October. Trump will chair a "board of peace" tasked with overseeing reconstruction, economic recovery, and transition processes in Gaza. Tony Blair is reportedly expected to join this board alongside Trump's advisers, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
The group leading Gaza's civil administration during the transition, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), consists of technocrats and experts rather than politicians. Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority, has been appointed to lead this committee.
Reconstruction efforts are expected to be costly, with estimates suggesting it could exceed $70 billion over several decades. The UN has described Israel's war in Gaza as creating a "human-made abyss".
In an effort to restore basic services and kickstart early recovery, medical sources have reported six Palestinians killed and others wounded in Israeli airstrikes on Thursday.
Gaza remains a precarious place, with life disrupted by ongoing violence and recent storms exacerbating the crisis. The collapse of flimsy tents housing displaced Palestinians has resulted in at least four deaths, while Unicef reports 100 children have been killed since October's ceasefire began.
like what even is the point of all these diplomatic efforts if violence is still gonna happen? it feels like we're just spinning our wheels here and Gaza people are still suffering so much 
they need billions to rebuild and recover but what about the psychological trauma, the loss of loved ones, the destruction of homes? can't we talk about more than just military might and economic recovery for a sec? 
it's like Trump is playing a really intense game of chess with Israel and Hamas without even thinking about the humans in between 
what if instead of focusing on who's right or wrong, we tried to figure out how to make this ceasefire actually work for everyone involved? 
. Trump trying to broker peace but it's hard when things are this intense 
. Hope the reconstruction efforts can help bring some stability & normalcy back to Gaza 
. And Unicef's numbers about kids being killed is just devastating... so many lives lost in a region that already has so much suffering 
I feel so bad for those families who have lost loved ones or had their homes destroyed.
.
I guess only time will tell.
complete disarmament? that sounds so extreme 
gotta hope he's not trying to stir up more drama 
at least there are ppl like tony blair on board 
maybe they can get something done 
about those remains... how can u return someone without even knowing if they're still alive? 
gotta think of all those ppl stuck in flimsy tents and getting killed 
100 kids since october?!?! 
Unicef needs to do more to help those poor kids 
The US is pouring more money into this reconstruction thing, but where's it really going? I bet a chunk of that $70 billion is just lining the pockets of some powerful corporate interests... 
