Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, July 25, claimed that Hamas has no genuine interest in reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, suggesting the group is more committed to martyrdom than negotiations.
“It’s too bad. Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die,” Trump said during a televised interview, commenting on the breakdown of recent ceasefire talks.
His remarks follow the withdrawal of both Israel and the United States from indirect negotiations with Hamas, which had been taking place in Doha, Qatar. For over two weeks, Qatari mediators facilitated back-and-forth discussions between the two sides in an effort to broker a truce and secure the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel remains open to a deal, Trump placed the blame for the stalled talks squarely on Hamas. “Now we’re down to the final hostages, and they know what happens after you get the final hostages,” he added, alluding to the potential for intensified Israeli military action.
Trump also weighed in on international diplomacy surrounding the conflict, criticizing French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent announcement recognizing a Palestinian state.
“He’s a very good guy, I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight,” Trump said, downplaying the significance of Macron’s move.
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023, when a Hamas-led assault resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the capture of hundreds of hostages. Nearly two years later, the conflict remains unresolved, with ceasefire efforts repeatedly breaking down and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsening.
