From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Trump says Gaza war over, Hamas will be met ‘harshly’ if it doesn’t disarm
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump asserts that the war in Gaza is over, even if there are “little flames” that persist.
Israel has been carrying out near-daily strikes across the Strip, targeting what it says are terror operatives violating the ceasefire. The Hamas-run health ministry says over 570 Gazans have been killed since the beginning of the October ceasefire.
While Hamas has pledged not to do so, Trump claims that the terror group is going to give up its weapons.
“If they don’t, they’ll be harshly met,” Trump warns.
The president rejects the notion that Hamas operatives are prepared to die in their fight against Israel.
“Everyone said, ‘Oh, they don’t mind dying.’ No, they don’t want to die,” he says.
Trump then reiterates his praise of Hamas for recovering all remaining hostage bodies from Gaza.
“The world is now waiting on Hamas… It’s the only thing that’s right now standing in the way,” Trump says, appearing to downplay what has always been the main obstacle in rebuilding Gaza.
The Times of Israel Community.