New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Friday held Hamas responsible for the failure of Gaza ceasefire negotiations, signaling strong backing for Israel to intensify its military offensive, according to CNN. Speaking to reporters before leaving for a weekend trip to Scotland, Trump said, “I think they want to die, and it’s very, very bad.” He added, “It got to be to a point where you’re gonna have to finish the job.”
Trump’s remarks marked a significant departure from his earlier stance just weeks ago, when he expressed optimism about a potential agreement that would end the conflict, secure the release of hostages, and enable humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Earlier this week, Trump’s administration withdrew its negotiators from the ceasefire talks in Doha, citing doubts over Hamas’s unity and intentions. According to Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, the group was not “coordinated” or “acting in good faith.” Witkoff said his team is now exploring “alternative options” to secure the release of remaining hostages.
Trump, asked about his recent interactions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said only that they were “sort of disappointing.” He added, “They’re gonna have to fight and they’re gonna have to clean it up. You’re gonna have to get rid of ’em.”
While Trump placed blame squarely on Hamas, officials in Egypt and Qatar described the current pause in talks as “normal in the context of these complex negotiations.” A senior Israeli official also said the talks had “not at all” collapsed.
Trump claimed Hamas had little incentive to negotiate, noting the dwindling number of hostages still held. “Now we’re down to the final hostages, and they know what happens after you get the final hostages, and basically, because of that, they really didn’t want to make a deal,” Trump said.
US officials said the administration hopes Trump’s firm rhetoric and Witkoff’s withdrawal will pressure Hamas to return to the table, according to CNN.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said, “We’ve tried. The world has watched this. What the options are — clearly there are many tools in President Trump’s tool chest, many options that Special Envoy Witkoff has.”
At the White House, Trump also responded to criticism over US aid, saying, “People don’t know this, and we didn’t certainly get any acknowledgement or thank you, but we contributed $60 million to food and supplies and everything else. We hope the money gets there, because you know, that money gets taken. The food gets taken. We’re going to do more, but we gave a lot of money.”
An internal US review has found no evidence of widespread theft of US-funded aid by Hamas in Gaza, CNN said.
Trump is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland over the weekend. On Friday, Starmer called Israel’s military escalation in Gaza “indefensible.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also drew global attention by announcing France would recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. Trump dismissed the move, telling reporters, “The statement doesn’t carry any weight. He’s a very good guy. I like him. But that statement doesn’t carry weight.”
(With inputs from ANI)