Trump blames Hamas for Gaza ceasefire collapse, signals Israel should "finish the job"

Washington DC [US], July 26 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Friday blamed Hamas for the breakdown of Gaza ceasefire talks, signalling support for Israel to escalate its military campaign, CNN reported.

I think they want to die, and it very, very bad, Trump said of Hamas while speaking to reporters before departing for a weekend trip to Scotland. It got to be to a point where youre gonna have to finish the job.

The comments marked a clear shift from just weeks ago when Trump appeared confident a deal was close that would end the conflict, release remaining hostages, and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, CNN noted.

This week, Trump administration pulled back its negotiators from talks in Doha, citing concerns that Hamas was not coordinated or acting in good faith. Steve Witkoff, Trump Middle East envoy, said he was exploring alternative options to secure the release of hostages.

Trump, asked about his recent interactions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said only that they were sort of disappointing. He added, Theyre gonna have to fight and theyre gonna have to clean it up. Youre 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 were down to the final hostages, and they know what happens after you get the final hostages, and basically, because of that, they really didnt want to make a deal, Trump said.

US officials said the administration hopes Trump firm rhetoric and Witkoff withdrawal will pressure Hamas to return to the table, according to CNN.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said, Weve tried. The world has watched this. What the options are -- clearly there are many tools in President Trump tool chest, many options that Special Envoy Witkoff has.

At the White House, Trump also responded to criticism over US aid, saying, People dont know this, and we didnt 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. Were 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 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 doesnt carry any weight. He a very good guy. I like him. But that statement doesnt carry weight. (ANI)

Disclaimer: This news article is a direct feed from ANI and has not been edited by the News Nation team. The news agency is solely responsible for its content.