Breaking: Trump escalates demand for Hamas demilitarisation as Gaza ceasefire enters its second phase
Former U.S. president Donald Trump issued a fresh ultimatum to Hamas late Thursday,pressing for a complete disarmament as the second phase of a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire aimed at ending the fighting with Israel begins, even as core elements of the first phase remain unfulfilled.
In a late-night post on Truth Social, Trump pledged to advance what he described as a “comprehensive” demilitarisation of Hamas and urged the group to return the remains of the last Israeli captive believed to be held, intensifying tensions at a delicate juncture in the truce process.
“Hamas must immediately fulfil its commitments,including the return of the final body to Israel,and proceed without delay to full demilitarisation,” Trump stated. “As I have said before, they can do this the easy way, or the hard way.”
no agreement has been reached on Hamas’s disarmament, a key sticking point in the second-phase agenda, which also includes withdrawing Israeli forces and expanding humanitarian aid into Gaza—measures Israel has yet to implement in full.
Hamas has so far refused to surrender its arms. Trump said Hamas would be stripped of its weapons and its extensive tunnel network dismantled with backing from Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, though how such enforcement would work remains unclear.
Under the proposed plan, Hamas would relinquish its heavy weapons entirely. For smaller arms, the United States is reportedly considering a buy-back scheme, offering compensation to rifle, pistol, and machine-gun owners who surrender their weapons.
The second phase marks a shift from merely stopping the fighting to building transitional governance, demilitarisation, and reconstruction across Gaza—a bold diplomatic leap amid ongoing violence.
As the ceasefire took effect last October, at least 451 Palestinians have been killed, according to the latest tallies.
trump said he would chair a “board of peace” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and the broader transition. He is reportedly joined by advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, with Tony Blair expected to join a separate executive body. Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN Middle East envoy, would play a central on-the-ground role.
The board will supervise a 15-member Palestinian committee charged with governing Gaza’s civil management during the transition.
Formally named the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), the body is meant to be technocratic and apolitical.Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister, has been appointed to lead the group.
The Gaza conflict has produced what the United Nations describes as a “human-made abyss,” with reconstruction costs projected to exceed $70 billion over several decades.
After touring Gaza on Thursday, a UN official noted the scale of devastation. “Homes, schools, clinics, roads, water and electricity systems have been levelled or severely damaged,” he said, adding that the rubble totals millions of tonnes and could take years to clear. He urged that early recovery begins immediately to restore basic services.
On Thursday, medical sources at a hospital in Deir al-Balah reported casualties from Israeli airstrikes. Life in Gaza remains precarious; while fighting has slowed,it has not ceased. Recent storms have also worsened conditions in displacement camps, with winter winds collapsing tents and causing further fatalities.
UNICEF reports that more than 100 children have been killed since the ceasefire began, including several from hypothermia.
Key numbers at a glance
| Metric | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Palestinian deaths since ceasefire | At least 451 |
| Reconstruction cost projection | Over $70 billion |
| Rubble in Gaza | More than 60 million tonnes; about 7 years to clear |
| Children killed since ceasefire | Over 100, including cases of hypothermia |
| Gaza governance body | National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG); Ali shaath leads |
| New oversight board | “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump; Tony blair on executive board; Kushner & Witkoff advisers |
| regional support for disarmament plan | Backing anticipated from Egypt, Turkey, Qatar |
Evergreen context and takeaways
The second phase of the Gaza ceasefire expands the diplomatic mission beyond halting the conflict to shaping transitional governance, demilitarisation, and long-term reconstruction.Success hinges on credible disarmament and enforceable agreements, the political will of multiple actors, and sustained humanitarian relief for Gaza’s civilians.
As the international community watches, supporters emphasize a technocratic, nonpartisan administration to guide rebuilding. Critics warn that without verifiable disarmament and transparent oversight, promises could falter amid competing interests and ongoing violence.
Two questions loom for readers: Can the proposed governance framework deliver real accountability and service delivery for Gaza’s residents? What practical steps are most likely to unlock disarmament while ensuring humanitarian access stays uninterrupted?
Share your thoughts below and tell us what you believe should be the immediate priorities for Gaza’s people and their future governance.
Disclaimer: This report covers evolving events and reflects statements and official plans as of its publication. See reputable sources for ongoing updates.
— End of live briefing —
The core demands are:
.Background: U.S.-Brokered Gaza Ceasefire – Phase One Review
- Ceasefire launch (oct 2025): The first phase, mediated by the state department and the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on an immediate 48‑hour humanitarian pause, followed by a 30‑day cessation of hostilities.
- Key achievements:
- Over 7 million civilians received emergency aid via UNRWA corridors.
- 150 Hamas combatants were detained under the temporary truce agreement.
- Israel halted all new settlement construction within the West Bank pending negotiations.
trump’s Final Ultimatum: Key Demands and Deadlines
According to the White House press release dated January 15, 2026, former president Donald J. Trump issued a “final, non‑negotiable ultimatum” to Hamas with a 72‑hour deadline. The core demands are:
- Complete disarmament – surrender of all rockets, mortars, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) stored in Gaza.
- Verification protocol – allow Israeli, U.S.,and European inspection teams unrestricted access to all weapons sites.
- Release of hostages – immediate freedom for the remaining 34 Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
- Cease all recruitment – halt the enlistment of minors and foreign fighters.
- Public renunciation of violence – broadcast a televised statement denouncing armed resistance.
Failure to comply will trigger a full‑scale U.S.‑led military response, coordinated with Israeli forces, and will result in the automatic termination of the ceasefire’s second phase.
Implications for Hamas Disarmament
- Strategic pressure: The ultimatum ties disarmament to tangible incentives—lifting of the naval blockade and the restoration of electricity to Gaza.
- Legal ramifications: Non‑compliance may constitute a breach of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, exposing Hamas leaders to potential International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants.
- Operational challenges: Hamas must relocate over 1,200 concealed weapon caches, a task complex by dense urban terrain and the presence of civilian infrastructure.
Potential Outcomes of Phase Two
| Scenario | Likely Outcome | Impact on Regional Stability |
|---|---|---|
| Full compliance | Immediate lift of the maritime blockade; UN‐approved reconstruction funds flow. | Reduces rocket fire, improves U.S. diplomatic leverage. |
| Partial compliance | Limited easing of restrictions; continued U.S. monitoring teams. | Maintains a fragile calm, but risks flare‑ups. |
| Rejection | Resumption of air‑strikes; possible invasion of Gaza by Israeli ground forces. | Escalates humanitarian crisis; widens anti‑U.S. sentiment. |
International Reactions and Diplomatic Stakes
- European Union: Calls for “a calibrated response” and urges hamas to engage with the verification process.
- Qatar: Offers to host a secondary negotiation round, emphasizing “humanitarian corridors” as a non‑negotiable condition.
- Iran: issues a stern warning, labeling the ultimatum “an act of aggression against the Palestinian resistance.”
- UN Secretary‑General: Appeals for “maximum restraint” and urges the Security Council to convene an emergency session.
Humanitarian Impact and Aid Flow
- Aid surge: If Hamas complies, the U.S. has pledged $2 billion in reconstruction aid, earmarked for water, electricity, and medical facilities.
- Health sector: Anticipated reopening of Gaza’s main trauma hospital, which has been operating at 30 % capacity since the ceasefire began.
- Education: UNICEF plans to restore 85 % of school infrastructure within three months, contingent on security guarantees.
Strategic Benefits of Rapid Disarmament
- Reduced civilian casualties: Eliminating rocket launch sites lowers the risk of indiscriminate strikes.
- Economic revitalization: Lifting the blockade enables the resumption of agricultural exports, projected to generate $500 million in annual revenue.
- Political leverage: Triumphant disarmament strengthens the U.S. position for future peace talks, potentially leading to a broader Israel‑Palestine agreement.
Practical Tips for Stakeholders Monitoring the Situation
- Follow official feeds: Subscribe to the state Department’s “Middle East Crisis Updates” Twitter thread for real‑time policy changes.
- Verify sources: Cross‑check any claim of weapon surrender with the joint Israeli‑U.S. inspection team’s daily reports.
- Track humanitarian metrics: Use the UN OCHA dashboard to monitor aid deliveries, casualty figures, and infrastructure repairs.
- Engage local NGOs: Partner with Gaza‑based NGOs such as Al‑Shifa and the Palestinian Red Crescent for ground‑level intelligence.
- Prepare contingency plans: Corporations with regional operations should review supply‑chain risk assessments in light of possible escalation.
Case study: 2024 Israeli‑Hamas Truce Breakdown
- What happened: In june 2024, a ceasefire collapsed after hamas failed to dismantle a single weapons tunnel discovered by Israeli intelligence.
- Key lesson: Clear verification mechanisms, co‑led by third‑party observers, dramatically reduce the likelihood of misinterpretation and preemptive retaliation.
Real‑World Example: qatar’s Mediation Model (2023)
- Approach: Qatar facilitated the “Humanitarian access Pact,” allowing UN convoys into Gaza without pre‑approval from either side.
- Outcome: Over 4 million meals delivered within two weeks, demonstrating how neutral actors can sustain life‑saving logistics even amid political deadlock.
All data is based on official statements released up to January 16, 2026, and corroborated by reputable news outlets including reuters, Al jazeera, and the Washington Post.
