US President Donald Trump on Saturday demanded that Hamas quickly return the bodies of deceased hostages held in Gaza. He warned that failure to comply could lead to serious consequences.
Trump noted that while he has said that “both sides would be treated fairly,” this principle applies only “if they comply with their obligations.”
48-Hour Warning to Hamas
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Hamas has already returned the remains of 15 hostages. However, 13 others remain in Hamas’ custody, including two Americans. He suggested that some remains could be returned immediately, even though Hamas claims it cannot access all of them.
“Hamas is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly, or the other Countries involved in this GREAT PEACE will take action. Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now, and, for some reason, they are not,” Trump wrote. “Perhaps it has to do with their disarmament. When I said, ‘Both sides would be treated fairly,’ that only applies if they comply with their obligations.”
Trump added:
“Let’s see what they do over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely.”
Trump Frames It in a Broader Peace Vision
Trump tied his warning to Hamas to a broader vision of Middle East peace, calling the current situation “a very strong PEACE in the Middle East” with potential to be “EVERLASTING.”
He stressed that stabilizing Gaza involves multiple countries working together and suggested that regional partners could take direct action if Hamas does not cooperate.
Egypt Steps In to Assist
As part of the ongoing efforts, Israel has approved a request from Egypt to send personnel and equipment into Gaza. Egyptian teams are assisting in recovering the remains of slain hostages.
Israeli sources told The Jerusalem Post that Egyptian personnel and equipment have already entered Gaza. Other reports indicate that Israel is preparing for the possible release of two more hostage remains soon.
International Coordination and Pressure
This situation highlights the growing international coordination to resolve hostage crises in Gaza. Trump’s warning underscores a strategy of applying pressure through diplomatic channels and regional partners.
Analysts say the 48-hour deadline signals U.S. readiness to hold Hamas accountable, while Egypt’s involvement reflects a shared regional responsibility for humanitarian action.
Experts also note that the situation could set a precedent for future hostage negotiations, showing that global powers may intervene to enforce compliance when non-state actors are involved.