US President Donald Trump speaks at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not pictured), at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder

US President Donald Trump on Monday called for the outright defeat of Hamas, posting on social media that the only path to the safe return of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza is through the Palestinian terrorist group’s destruction.

“We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be,” Trump said on Truth Social.

His remark came as Israel continued to wage its military campaign in Gaza to free the hostages and dismantle Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, military and governing capabilities in the enclave following the Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel, where Palestinian terrorists murdered 1,200 people and abducted 251 hostages.

Nearly two years later, 50 hostages still remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to still be alive.

“Remember, I was the one who negotiated and got hundreds of hostages freed and released into Israel (and America!),” Trump added on Truth Social.

Israel has said it will ramp up military pressure on Hamas by seizing control of Gaza City, a major hub for the terrorist group, while simultaneously pursuing negotiations for a potential ceasefire and hostage-release deal. Hamas has reportedly accepted the latest proposal for a 60-day ceasefire with Israel that includes the return of half the hostages the terrorist group holds in Gaza and Israel’s release of some Palestinian prisoners.

Many families of current and former Israeli hostages have argued against escalating operations on Hamas, expressing fear that such a move could lead the terrorist group to execute their loved ones. Others have argued that military pressure is the best way to force Hamas to release hostages as part of a ceasefire on more favorable terms for Israel.

On Monday, Trump also touted his decision to authorize the US military to bomb Iranian nuclear sites in June, an act which was intended to prevent the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism from building nuclear weapons. 

“I was the one who ended 6 wars, in just 6 months. I was the one who OBLITERATED Iran’s Nuclear facilities. Play to WIN, or don’t play at all! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT,” he wrote.