Critical 48 Hours: Hamas Leader Khalil Al Hayya Responds to US Demands

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya declared Sunday that the group’s operatives will enter additional areas in Gaza today to search for the remains of deceased hostages, emphasizing: "We will not give Israel an excuse to resume the fighting."

In an overnight interview with Al Jazeera, al-Hayya stated: "We will enter new areas today to search for some of the bodies."

He asserted that Israel "has failed to achieve its objectives over two years of war."

Addressing President Trump’s recent ultimatum demanding the swift return of hostage remains, including two Americans, al-Hayya reiterated that Hamas would not provide justification for renewed Israeli military action.

On the issue of disarmament, he said: "Our weapons are tied to the existence of the occupation and aggression. If the occupation ends, the weapons will return to the state."

He added that discussions with Palestinian factions and mediators are ongoing, noting: "The agreement is still in its early stages. We have no objections to Gaza being governed by any national figure residing in the Strip."

The statements come amid delays by Hamas in returning the bodies, prompting a stern warning from President Trump on his platform Truth Social:"We have very strong peace in the Middle East, and I believe it has a good chance of being permanent. Hamas must start quickly returning the bodies of the killed hostages, including two Americans, or the other nations involved in this great peace will take action."

Trump acknowledged the difficulty in recovering some remains but stressed that others could be returned immediately: "For some reason, they are not doing so, perhaps it’s tied to their disarmament." He concluded with a 48-hour deadline: "We’ll see what they do in the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely."