'Return Dead Hostages Or Face Action': Trump Warns Hamas, Gives Them 48-Hour Deadline

Last Updated:October 26, 2025, 09:12 IST

Trump warns Hamas to return bodies of deceased hostages within 48 hours or face action by countries involved in peace efforts.

Trump added that countries involved in the current peace arrangement would “take action” if Hamas fails to comply. (Image: Reuters/File)

US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a fresh warning to militant group Hamas, asking them to quickly return the bodies of deceased hostages, who were taken during the October 7 attack against Israel, to ensure peace in Gaza.

Suggesting the militant group to comply with its “obligations," Donald Trump warned that he would be watching their actions “very closely" over the next 48 hours.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, the US president stated that the Middle East is experiencing a “very strong peace" which he believes has the potential to be “everlasting," while warning Hamas to ensure both sides are “treated fairly."

Trump added that countries involved in the current peace arrangement would “take action" if Hamas fails to comply.

“Hamas is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly, or the other Countries involved in this GREAT PEACE will take action." Trump wrote.

He added that while some of the bodies may be in difficult-to-access areas, others could be returned immediately but Hamas is still not handing them over. “Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now and, for some reason, they are not. Perhaps it has to do with their disarming," he noted.

Trump also referred to his earlier remarks about treating both sides fairly, clarifying that such fairness was conditional on compliance with peace commitments. “When I said, “Both sides would be treated fairly," that only applies if they comply with their obligations."

Concluding his statement, Trump suggested that developments in the next two days would be crucial. “Let’s see what they do over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely," he added.

The US President’s remarks come amid heightened diplomatic efforts to consolidate the latest peace deal involving regional powers, with the US playing a prominent mediating role.

Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...Read More

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...

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News world 'Return Dead Hostages Or Face Action': Trump Warns Hamas, Gives Them 48-Hour Deadline

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