Former US President Donald Trump has squarely blamed Hamas for the stalled ceasefire talks in Gaza, implicitly backing Israel’s ongoing military campaign. Speaking from Washington D.C. before leaving for Scotland, Trump expressed his disapproval of Hamas, asserting they ‘want to die’ and that Israel needs to ‘finish the job.’ This represents a change from his previous statements suggesting a deal was near. The US administration also withdrew its negotiators from discussions in Doha, citing concerns about Hamas’s intentions and actions. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is exploring alternatives to secure the release of hostages. When asked about recent interactions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump expressed his disappointment. Trump claimed that Hamas had little incentive to negotiate, as the number of hostages dwindles. US officials hope the firm rhetoric will push Hamas back to the table. Meanwhile, the US has contributed $60 million in aid to Gaza and an internal review found no evidence of large-scale theft. Trump will be meeting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the weekend, who has criticized the escalation of Israeli military action in Gaza, and dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement to recognize a Palestinian state.
