Trump's threat: "Hamas must lay down its arms, or we will take away their weapons"

Trump's threat: "Hamas must lay down its arms, or we will take away their weapons"

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Trump's threat: "Hamas must lay down its arms, or we will take away their weapons"

Recent statements by former and current US President Donald Trump have created a storm in the political sky in the Middle East.

On October 14, 2025, Trump stood before reporters in Washington, D.C., and said, "Hamas has to lay down its arms, or we will take away their weapons. It will be quick and probably violent. But they will lay down their arms, you understand?" These words were not just a threat, but the beginning of a new chapter in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Today, we will discuss in detail the background, impact, and global reaction to Trump's statement. Why is this event so important? And where will the Middle East peace process go as a result? Let's understand it step by step.

Background to Trump's speech: The shadow of war, blockades and weapons

The Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East has been ongoing since October 2023, shaking the world until 2025. Israeli bombardment of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has killed thousands of innocent people, displaced many. On the other hand, Israeli civilian areas have been damaged by Hamas rocket attacks. A ceasefire agreement was reached in the conflict by the end of 2024, which is divided into three phases. The first phase involved the release of Israeli hostages and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

But complications arise when it comes to the second stage. Trump, who is returning to his second term as president, posted on Truth Social to announce that "all 20 hostages are back and doing as well as they can." But he also warned Hamas that if they did not voluntarily lay down their weapons, they would be forcibly disarmed. According to a Reuters report, Hamas has handed over the bodies of several more dead Israeli hostages, following threats to cut aid to Israel. In Trump's words, this disarmament will happen "within a reasonable period of time," but what does that mean—days? week? month? It is still unclear.

Trump's position is a continuation of his previous policies. During his first term, he recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and normalized Israel's relations with Arab countries through the Abraham Accords. Trump's view is clear: Israel's security is intertwined with the national interests of the United States. But why this condition of "disarming" Hamas now? Because the second phase of the ceasefire is about to begin with the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state. If Hamas continues to take up arms, the peace process will never succeed, Trump argues.

Hamas Perspective: Weapon of Resistance, or Tool of Violence?

Hamas, an Islamic resistance group founded in 1987, claims to be the symbol of the Palestinian people's struggle for liberation. According to its charter, it denies the existence of Israel and calls itself a jihadist. But in reality, Hamas' weapons—rockets, grenades, tunnels—have repeatedly fallen on the innocent people of Gaza. Many around the world have labeled Hamas a "terrorist organization" after seeing the devastation wrought by Israeli bombings in Gaza, while others see them as "responsible."

In response to Trump's threats, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said, "We will not lay down our arms under any external pressure. It is our right and responsibility." On the streets of Gaza, where children play amid the rubble, ordinary Palestinians are confused. On the one hand, giving up arms might bring peace and increase aid; On the other hand, it calls into question the existence of Hamas. Historically, organizations like the PLO have laid down their arms and joined the peace process, but is this possible for Hamas? If countries like Iran withdraw their support, Hamas's position will be weakened.

The World's Response: Support, Criticism, and Silence

Trump's statement divided the world. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed it as a "historic moment." "This firmness on the part of the United States is essential for our security," he said. The European Union issued a softer statement: "We support a peaceful solution, but no effective ceasefire is possible without Hamas's weapons." Countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany agreed with Trump, as they have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization.

But there is a storm in the Arab world. Turkish President Erdogan said, "This is a manifestation of the colonial mentality. The Palestinians took up arms to defend their rights, and now they are threatened to take them away?" Saudi Arabia and Egypt are silent because they are engaged in secret negotiations with Israel. Iran, Hamas' main backer, is promoting it as a "US aggression" and has warned its proxy group Hezbollah. Inside the US, Democrats have criticized: "This is threat politics rather than diplomacy. Peace will come from talks, not from war."

The news has gone viral on social media in countries like Bangladesh. Many are calling Trump a "pro-Israeli," while others are saying that Hamas' weapons are the root cause of the conflict. A student organization in Dhaka held a march saying, "Palestine wants freedom, but not violence."

The impact of Trump's policies: the path to peace, or a new war?

What would happen if Trump's threat were to materialize? First, a joint US-Israeli operation could destroy Hamas's arsenal, which would lead to further destruction in Gaza. Second, it would jeopardize the second phase of the ceasefire—the full release of hostages and the opening of the border—and third, regional instability would increase: Lebanon's Hezbollah or Yemen's Houthis could become involved, which would cast the shadow of a world war.

But there are positives. If Hamas lays down its arms, reconstruction in Gaza can begin. According to World Bank estimates, $50 billion will be needed to rebuild Gaza, and this money will flow from disarmament. The Palestinian Authority could return, opening the way for a long-term peace deal. Trump's "America First" policy is at work here: He doesn't want the turmoil in the Middle East to involve American troops.

However, diplomacy is at the heart of this decision. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said, "There is no peace without weapons, but disarmament with violence breeds new violence." If Trump's words remain threats and turn into negotiations, then it will be a success for his diplomacy.

Call to lay down arms for peace

Donald Trump's "Hamas lay down its arms or we'll take it out" rhetoric is powerful enough to determine the future of the Middle East. This is not just a political threat, but a message: to break the cycle of conflict, dependence on weapons must be abandoned. The children of Gaza, the families of Israel—all want peace. If Hamas accepts this call, then a new page of history will be written. But if not taken, there is a risk of new bleeding. World leaders, especially Muslim countries, will now take responsibility to ensure that diplomacy wins. Peace never comes from arms—remember that.