Trump rules out Hamas role in post-war Gaza governance

President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will not permit Hamas to play any role in governing the Gaza Strip after the ongoing conflict ends.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on April 22, Trump made his stance clear in response to a direct question about Hamas’ potential post-war involvement, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

“We're not going to let Hamas do that,” Trump said. “And we'll see what happens with Gaza, but we've made great progress in the Middle East,” he emphasised.

Reflecting on the outbreak of the war, Trump added: “The events of this special day - October 7 [2023] - should never have happened. It never would have happened if I were president. But we are going to stop this whole situation,” he summarised.

The conflict sharply escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters launched a deadly incursion into Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents in border communities and taking hostages. In retaliation, Israel initiated a broad military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas' political and military infrastructure and securing the release of captives.

Since the start of the hostilities, the enclave's health ministry reported over 51,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, and approximately 117,000 more injured.

Although a ceasefire was put in place in January 2025, fighting resumed on March 18 when the Israeli Defence Forces launched renewed strikes across the Strip. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision came after Hamas rejected the terms of a deal proposed by international mediators, including US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff. According to the Israeli government, the new operation is aimed at freeing hostages still held in Gaza.

For their part, Hamas and affiliated factions have blamed both Israel and the United States for reigniting the war.

By Tamilla Hasanova