Trump claims Middle East allies are ready to deploy “heavy force” against Hamas in Gaza
President Donald Trump issued a warning to Hamas on Tuesday, claiming that multiple Middle Eastern nations have volunteered to deploy military forces to Gaza if the Palestinian group continues to violate the fragile ceasefire agreement brokered by his administration earlier this month.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump stated that allied countries had expressed “great enthusiasm” about entering Gaza with “heavy force” to address Hamas. The president emphasized, however, that such intervention was not yet necessary, adding that Hamas still had an opportunity to comply with the ceasefire terms.
“Many of our NOW great ALLIES in the Middle East, and surrounding regions, have clearly and emphatically communicated to me, with much enthusiasm, that they would embrace the chance, at my request, to enter GAZA with significant military strength and ‘straighten out our Hamas’ if Hamas persists in acting improperly, contravening their agreement with us.”
Trump concluded his message with a direct threat to the Palestinian group: “If they fail to do so, an end to Hamas will be SWIFT, FURIOUS, & BRUTAL!”
Vice President Vance visits Israel
The warning came as Vice President JD Vance traveled to Israel on Tuesday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, part of what Trump administration officials described as efforts to maintain the ceasefire that went into effect on October 10, 2025. The visit follows President Trump’s own trip to the region last week and coincides with meetings between Israeli officials and Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Speaking alongside Netanyahu on Wednesday, Vance emphasized that Israel was an ally and partner, not a subordinate state. “We don’t want a vassal state, and that’s not what Israel is,” Vance said. “We don’t want a client state, and that’s not what Israel is. We want a partnership. We want an ally here.”
Some Trump administration officials have privately expressed concerns that Netanyahu might abandon the ceasefire agreement, sources told CNN. The officials characterized Vance’s visit as partly intended to ensure Israeli commitment to the deal, with one describing the effort as “’Bibisitting’”.
Ceasefire under strain
The ceasefire has faced significant challenges since its implementation. According to Gaza officials, approximately 100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the truce began, with Israel claiming these individuals were approaching restricted military zones. On Sunday, Israel conducted airstrikes that killed at least 28 people after two Israeli soldiers died in Rafah, an incident Israel attributed to Hamas.
Hamas has denied responsibility for the soldiers’ deaths and accused Israel of violating the ceasefire terms. The Palestinian group also claims that Israel has failed to reopen the Rafah border crossing, a key commitment under the agreement meant to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries.
“Only 986 aid trucks have entered the enclave since the ceasefire began, a small fraction of the anticipated 6,600 trucks, with a target of 600 per day.”
International peacekeeping force proposed
Trump’s 20-point peace plan calls for the deployment of an international stabilization force to Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and transitional governance by Palestinian technocrats. However, multiple nations have expressed reluctance to send troops, citing concerns about unclear mission parameters and the risk of clashes with Hamas fighters, according to The New York Times.
The president specifically thanked Indonesia for its support in the region, though he did not identify which other countries had offered military assistance. Indonesia’s government has proposed sending peacekeeping forces to help restore stability in Gaza, though no nation has indicated willingness to engage Hamas militarily on Israel’s behalf.
The second phase of Trump’s peace plan requires Hamas to completely disarm and relinquish any role in Gaza’s future governance—terms the group has not accepted. Hamas officials have stated the war can only end with Israel’s complete withdrawal from the territory.