President Donald Trump credited Hamas for assisting in the recovery of deceased hostages during remarks at a board of peace meeting, comments that quickly drew attention given the group’s designation by the United States as a terrorist organization.
Reflecting on the war in Gaza, Trump said the conflict had been “raging with thousands of people being killed with no end in sight” when he returned to office, but declared that “the war on Gaza is over.” He pointed to what he described as a broad international coalition, saying 59 countries had signed onto efforts related to Gaza.
Trump focused much of his remarks on the ceasefire and hostage recovery process, stating that every remaining hostage — both living and deceased — had been returned. “The cease-fire was held and every last remaining hostage both living and dead was — and the last one was going to be very tough — and we got them back,” Trump said. “We got the living back and we only got about 16 of the dead and we said, you have to get them all. You promised them all.”
Trump: Every last remaining hostage living and dead has been returned back home. They dug dug dug… Hamas did a lot of that work, you got to give them credit for that pic.twitter.com/qKYhtSwRDw
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 19, 2026
He described the recovery of the final remains, saying, “And they dug and dug. And Hamas really did a lot of that work and you have to give them credit for that. They brought the last one home a week ago and we have all 28 of them. Living and dead.”
The president added that for families of the deceased, the return of remains carried profound significance. “The parents of the dead, they knew that they were dead, this case all boys. Men, but to the parents boys. They knew that they were dead, they wanted the dead body as much as if he were alive,” Trump said, describing a mix of “great sadness but great joy” when the remains were returned.
The remarks stood out because the United States formally designates Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The U.S. Department of State first applied the designation in October 1997 and has maintained it due to the group’s history of violence against civilians, including rocket attacks and other acts of terrorism. U.S. law prohibits material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations.
Trump’s comments came weeks after the administration formally launched Phase Two of what it has described as a 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. On January 16, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced that the initiative would shift from ceasefire operations to a framework centered on demilitarization, governance, and reconstruction.
Today, on behalf of President Trump, we are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.
— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) January 14, 2026
Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic…
Phase Two calls for the creation of a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, along with the full demilitarization of the territory. The plan includes the disarmament of unauthorized personnel and reconstruction efforts following years of conflict. Witkoff emphasized at the time that the United States expected Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage, warning that failure to do so would bring “serious consequences.”
Trump echoed that posture when the plan was announced, framing the strategy as “peace through strength” and combining humanitarian assistance with firm enforcement measures. He reiterated U.S. demands that Hamas surrender weapons and dismantle tunnel networks, and warned that the group would be “very harshly met” if it failed to give up its arms.
During his latest remarks, Trump suggested that Hamas had indicated a willingness to disarm, saying, “Hamas, I think they are going to give up their weapons which is what they promised. If they don’t they will be very harshly met.”
The transition to Phase Two has been described by U.S. officials as an effort to combine humanitarian relief with enforced demilitarization under a structured administrative framework. The technocratic governance model is intended to serve as a temporary and impartial body overseeing reconstruction while longer-term political and security arrangements are negotiated.
Trump’s praising of Hamas, disregarding their official labeling as terrorist, has faced backlash online questioning why they would ever receive any sorts of praise.
