Trump Issues "Hell to Pay" Ultimatum on Hamas Disarmament Ahead of Sunday Summit

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum regarding the stalled Israel-Hamas ceasefire, warning there will be "hell to pay" if the militant group fails to immediately disarm. The threat marks a dramatic escalation in U.S. rhetoric just days before Trump's December 29 bilateral summit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling a push to force a resolution to the conflict before the end of 2025.

The President’s comments directly target the deadlock surrounding "Phase II" of the October 8 "Board of Peace" agreement. While the initial truce successfully halted fighting, established a "yellow line" for Israeli withdrawal, and secured the release of hostages, the subsequent requirement for the total demilitarization of the Gaza Strip has faltered. By invoking the specific phrase "hell to pay"—language credited with forcing concessions on hostage releases in late 2024—Trump appears to be closing the door on diplomatic patience.

This development heightens the stakes for Sunday's event at the White House. With the President explicitly citing "Hamas" and its refusal to disarm as the primary obstacle, the group is expected to be a central focus of remarks during the joint appearance with Netanyahu. Analysts view this ultimatum as a final effort to secure a comprehensive deal—transitioning from the current fragile truce to a permanent security arrangement—potentially by the December 31 target date.

Background provided by administration officials indicates that the "amnesty window," which offered safe passage to Hamas fighters who surrendered weapons, is now viewed by the White House as effectively closed. Following the December 13 targeted killing of a Hamas leader and subsequent ceasefire violations, the administration is pivoting from implementation oversight to direct threats of consequences.

The trajectory for the final days of 2025 is now clear. If a mutual agreement on Phase II—defined by a public acknowledgment of disarmament and new security governance—is not announced immediately, the region faces the prospect of a return to full-scale military operations. The administration’s hardened stance implies that without a breakthrough on disarmament by the end of the year, the U.S. is prepared to back a renewed Israeli offensive to achieve these goals forcibly.