Trump says Hamas ‘did not need deal’ as US and Israel depart Gaza ceasefire talks

US President Donald Trump has stated Hamas “didn’t really want to make a deal” on a brand new Gaza ceasefire and hostage launch, after the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating groups from Qatar.

US envoy Steve Witkoff stated on Thursday night time that the response by the Palestinian armed group to the most recent proposal confirmed “a lack of desire”.

He added “alternative options” to convey dwelling the hostages nonetheless held by Hamas can be thought-about – one thing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed.

There was no fast Hamas response to Trump’s feedback, however the group earlier expressed shock about what it referred to as Witkoff’s “negative” remarks, and an official stated the group had been advised Israeli negotiators would return to Doha subsequent week.

All sides concerned within the talks – together with the mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt – acknowledge that large gaps stay on key points, together with Israeli troop withdrawals, assist distribution, and a everlasting cessation of hostilities.

In his assertion saying the withdrawal of the US workforce from Doha, Witkoff stated: “While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be co-ordinated or acting in good faith.

“We will now contemplate various choices to convey the hostages dwelling and attempt to create a extra secure atmosphere for the folks of Gaza.

“It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.”

Netanyahu’s workplace had earlier stated in an announcement that Israeli negotiators would depart Qatar for extra consultations “in light of the response conveyed by Hamas”, but it surely didn’t give any extra particulars.

A senior Israeli official in Doha – talking on the situation of anonymity – later briefed Israeli journalists that there was “no explosion, no collapse” within the talks, the Times of Israel reported.

But the official did criticise what they referred to as Hamas’s “rejectionist and unfortunate approach”, saying its newest response did “not allow progress without a shift” within the group’s positions.

On Friday afternoon, Netanyahu wrote on X: “Witkoff got it right. Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release deal.”

“Together with our US allies, we are now considering alternative options to bring our hostages home, end Hamas’s terror rule, and secure lasting peace for Israel and our region.”

At across the identical time, Trump advised reporters outdoors the White House: “It was too bad. Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die.”

He added: “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.”

There was no fast response from Hamas, however the group stated in an announcement early on Friday that it was “surprised by the negative statements” from Witkoff on its place.

“The movement affirms its keenness to continue negotiations and engage in them in a manner that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement,” it added.

A senior Hamas official later advised the BBC that the mediators had knowledgeable the group that the negotiations had not collapsed.

They stated the mediators had additionally conveyed that the Israeli delegation was anticipated to return to Doha subsequent week, although no particular date had been set.

The two sides have been unable to achieve settlement on a US proposal for a 60-day ceasefire that will see the staggered launch of 10 residing Israeli hostages by Hamas and the our bodies of 18 different hostages in trade for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Fifty hostages are nonetheless being held in Gaza, at the least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

A senior Palestinian official advised the BBC on Wednesday that their newest response targeted totally on three key points: the mechanism for the entry and distribution of humanitarian assist into Gaza, maps detailing the withdrawal of Israeli troops from territory they’ve captured, and a assure that the ceasefire would result in a everlasting finish to the warfare.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel stated on Thursday afternoon that the hostages’ family had been deeply involved by the return of the Israeli negotiators.

“The negotiations have dragged on for far too long. Each day that passes endangers the hostages’ chances of recovery and risks losing the ability to locate the fallen or gain vital intelligence about them,” it added.

On Thursday night time, giant rallies came about in Israel urging the federal government to seal a deal to return all 50 of the remaining hostages.

Vicky Cohen, the mom of 21-year-old hostage Nimrod Cohen, advised hundreds of individuals gathered in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square: “The leaders of the state are insisting with all their might on partial deals that could leave Nimrod behind.”

She continued: “Some elected officials are even calling to give up on Nimrod, an [Israeli] soldier. There is one thing that separates us from Nimrod: the end of the war.”

Meanwhile, Netanyahu distanced the federal government from far-right Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu’s declare that it was “rushing to wipe out Gaza” as a substitute of dashing to agree a hostage launch deal.

“We are erasing this evil, and erasing the population that was educated on Mein Kampf,” Eliyahu claimed in an interview with radio station Kol Barama on Thursday.

He additionally declared that “all of Gaza will be Jewish”.

In response, Netanyahu stated: “Minister Amichay Eliyahu does not speak for the government I lead. He is not a member of the security cabinet that determines the conduct of the war.”

In Gaza, humanitarian circumstances are quickly deteriorating.

The UN and its companions have warned of artificial, mass hunger taking maintain.

The Hamas-run well being ministry stated on Friday that 9 extra folks had died of causes associated to malnutrition within the final 24 hours, which elevated to 57 the overall reported thus far this month.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned that its workers in Gaza had been receiving an growing variety of malnourished sufferers at our clinics, whereas they themselves battle to seek out ample meals.

Across screenings of youngsters aged six months to 5 years previous and pregnant and breastfeeding girls at MSF amenities final week, 25% had been malnourished, it stated.

Israel, which controls the entry of all provides into Gaza, has stated it’s not liable for meals shortages and blamed Hamas.

Israel imposed a complete blockade of assist deliveries in the beginning of March and resumed its army offensive towards Hamas two weeks later, collapsing a two-month ceasefire. It stated it needed to place strain on the group to launch its remaining Israeli hostages.

Although the blockade was partially eased after nearly two months, amid warnings of a looming famine from international specialists, the shortages of meals, drugs and gas have worsened.

The Israeli army launched a marketing campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, wherein about 1,200 folks had been killed and 251 others had been taken hostage.

At least 59,676 folks have been killed in Gaza since then, in accordance with the territory’s Hamas-run well being ministry.