US President Donald Trump on Friday blamed Hamas for the collapse of talks for a Gaza ceasefire, backing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intensify military efforts to “get rid" of the Palestinian militant group.
Speaking to reporters in Washington before departing for Scotland, Trump declared that Hamas didn’t want to make a deal regarding a truce and the release of hostages.
“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 didn’t want to make a deal," he said.
Referring to Hamas, he added, “I think they want to die."
The US president said the Hamas leaders are now “going to be hunted down," adding that Israel “will have to finish the job… they’ll have to fight and clean it up."
Trump’s remarks followed the decision by his Middle East peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, to withdraw the US negotiating team from the Gaza ceasefire talks for further consultations in Washington.
In response, senior Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim on Friday accused Witkoff of misrepresenting the negotiations and aligning with Israel.
“His remarks contradict the reality of recent negotiations and serve the Israeli position," Naim said, after Witkoff blamed Hamas for obstructing a deal.
The talks have remained stalled for more than two weeks.
On Thursday, both the US and Israel exited the negotiations, with Witkoff indicating that Hamas was at fault and that Washington would now explore “alternative options."
