Speaking to reporters at the White House today, US President Donald Trump stated that Hamas does not want to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. “I think (the Israelis) will hunt them down,” he said about Hamas.
Read: Steve Witkoff: Gaza ceasefire negotiations collapse – “Lack of willingness” from Hamas
Regarding his conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu about humanitarian aid drops in Gaza, he stated cryptically “I can’t say what was said… it was somewhat disappointing.” Meanwhile, the American president commented on Emmanuel Macron’s announcement regarding France’s decision to recognize the state of Palestine in September. However, Trump told reporters at the White House with a somewhat… dismissive tone: “He’s a very good person. I like him, but that statement carries no special weight.”
Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be in agreement with Donald Trump, as he correspondingly stated today that Israel, in coordination with its American allies, is now examining alternative options for the return of hostages, ending Hamas’s “terrorist rule” in Gaza, and achieving lasting peace for Israel and the region. The Israeli Prime Minister emphasized that the US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is right to say that “Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release agreement.”
Witkoff: “Lack of willingness” from Hamas
It should be noted that only one day has passed since the US government’s decision to recall its negotiating team for consultations after Hamas’s latest proposal, as stated by Trump’s envoy for Middle East peace, Steve Witkoff. He announced the recall of the American delegation “for consultations following Hamas’s latest response, which clearly shows a lack of willingness to reach a Gaza ceasefire”. He added that the US and its partners will “now consider other options to return the hostages to their homes” and “create a more stable environment for Gaza’s population,” without being more specific about these “options.”
It is emphasized that Hamas declared itself “surprised” by Mr. Witkoff’s positions and expressed its “readiness” to continue indirect negotiations in a way that would allow “obstacles to be removed” and achieve a “permanent ceasefire.” It should be noted that these concern the hostages who were abducted during the unprecedented raid by Hamas’s military wing on southern sectors of Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war.
