Amid mounting pressure from the US, Hamas released the bodies of two more Israeli hostages yesterday to avoid further escalation that could lead to the collapse of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. For the same reason, American officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner asked Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure that reactions to any ceasefire violations by Hamas would be proportional.
In Gaza, speaking out against Hamas costs you your life.
Meet the Arrow Unit: Hamas’ brutal enforcers silencing anyone who dares to speak up. pic.twitter.com/KNX5osFvs9
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 21, 2025
Read: Donald Trump: “When I give the signal, Hamas’ end will be swift, fierce and merciless”
Trump: Warnings to Hamas about ceasefire collapse
The wave of warnings came amid violent clashes that erupted in recent days between the two sides. Specifically, on Sunday (19/10) Israel struck dozens of Hamas targets following an attack by the Palestinian organization that killed two Israeli soldiers. However, Hamas denied any involvement in the attack and reported that it was carried out by a rebel group. In the aftermath of the clashes, US President Donald Trump said on Monday (20/10) that Hamas is violating the ceasefire and warned that “they will take care of it very quickly if the organization doesn’t correct it itself.” He also mentioned that several countries are ready to help destroy Hamas if it continues to violate the agreement.
Hamas: “We will maintain this agreement”
According to the Wall Street Journal, following the American president’s warnings, Hamas told mediators it would stop public executions of rival gang members after receiving pressure, arguing that these actions could give Israel a pretext to continue fighting. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya adopted a diplomatic tone on Monday in an interview with an Egyptian state channel, stating that the war is over and Hamas is committed to returning all bodies of dead hostages. “We are determined to maintain this agreement,” al-Hayya said. “It will last, because we want it to last.”
