On Tuesday, President Donald Trump delivered a strong ultimatum to Hamas, cautioning the organization that failure to disarm voluntarily will result in forced disarmament by external forces.

“They claimed they would lay down their arms. If they fail to do so, we will ensure their disarmament,” Trump declared to reporters at the White House during a meeting with Argentinian President Javier Milei.

These remarks followed the release of 20 hostages back to Israel, after being held by Hamas in Gaza for nearly 740 days. However, the remains of most of the 28 hostages who died have yet to be returned.

President Donald Trump is seen speaking during a meeting with Argentina’s President Javier Milei at the White House on October 14, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Hamas had agreed to return both the living and deceased hostages within 72 hours following an agreement with Israel. This deadline commenced on Saturday and concluded on Monday.

But Hamas flagged that it may not be able to locate all the bodies of the deceased, including Americans Omer Neutra and Itay Chen, and an international task force was established over the weekend to track them down.

“Above all else, get the hostages back,” Trump said, adding that Hamas “misrepresented” how many of the bodies it would be able to return. 

Three photos of families reunited with hostages freed by Hamas on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, as a ceasefire deal goes into effect. (IDF)

“I want them back. That’s what they said. I want them back,” Trump said. “Also, they said they were going to disarm.”

Trump wouldn’t specify exactly what action he would take to “disarm” Hamas by force, though he has said he would back Israel in carrying out its full military ambitions in the Gaza Strip if the terrorist network refuses to relinquish its arms. 

The disarmament phase was slated to begin in the second stage of the agreement, which was set to commence after all the hostages were returned. 

People walk past posters of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on Oct. 10, 2025. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)

But Trump on Tuesday suggested that the second phase had already begun in a Truth Social post when he said, “All 20 hostages are back and feeling as good as can be expected. A big burden has been lifted, but the job is not done. The dead have not been returned, as promised! Phase two begins right now!!!”

Once Hamas disarms, the Israel Defense Force will also further withdraw from the enclave.