Trump threatens Hamas amid push to advance Gaza ceasefire

US President Donald Trump threatened Hamas on Oct 21 with “FAST, FURIOUS & BRUTAL?” force if it does not “do what is right”, as he pushes for the more complex stage of a Gaza ceasefire that has already been repeatedly tested.

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Increasing the pressure on the Palestinian militant group, Mr Trump said in a social media post that numerous US allies had said they would welcome the chance to go into Gaza and hit Hamas, but he had told them and Israel “not yet”.

Israel and Hamas have accused each other of repeated breaches of the truce since it came into effect on Oct 10, with flashes of violence and recriminations over the pace of hostage bodies being returned, aid flow and borders opening.

US Vice-President J.D. Vance, who arrived in Israel on Oct 21, is due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Oct 22 for talks focused on security challenges and political opportunities.

They are expected to discuss Mr Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan that will require moving beyond the existing, shaky ceasefire, to much more difficult steps including the disarmament of Hamas and a path towards a Palestinian state.

The trip follows talks on Oct 20 between Mr Netanyahu and US envoys Steven Witkoff and Mr Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and comes as Hamas meets mediators in Cairo.

Israel is pressing for stronger assurances on Hamas disarming - a step to which the group has so far refused to commit — said a source briefed on the matter.

Hamas’ Cairo talks, led by the group’s exiled leader Khalil al-Hayya, are looking at prospects for the next phase of the truce and postwar arrangements in Gaza as well as stabilising the existing ceasefire.