President Donald Trump spoke to reporters as he left the White House on July 25 in Washington, DC. Just a few weeks ago, Trump appeared hopeful that a deal was imminent to resolve the conflict in Gaza, secure the release of hostages, and provide much-needed aid to the starving population. However, Trump’s optimism has since waned, with the president withdrawing negotiators from ceasefire discussions after the US administration determined that Hamas was not cooperating in good faith. Trump’s envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, mentioned exploring other options to secure the release of hostages.
Instead of pushing for a return to negotiations, Trump suggested that Israel should intensify its military operations in Gaza, despite growing global concern over the dire humanitarian situation. Trump’s comments hinted at a shift in approach, indicating that he may not exert pressure on Israel to scale back its military campaign.
While Trump’s stance may reflect a breakdown in talks or a strategic move to pressure Hamas, the exact reasons for the shift remain unclear. Trump’s failure to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, along with challenges in ending conflicts in Ukraine and Russia, have presented obstacles in his pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize.
Amidst Trump’s pessimism, Egypt and Qatar expressed readiness to continue mediating for a lasting ceasefire, despite the recent pause in discussions. Some US officials hope that Trump’s remarks, combined with the decision to halt negotiations, will prompt Hamas to adopt a more conciliatory stance.
While there are differing perspectives on the status of the negotiations, the sudden US withdrawal has made waves in Doha, where the talks have been held. The sticking points in the discussions revolve around the terms for ending the conflict, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the redeployment of Israeli forces in Gaza.
Overall, the situation remains complex and uncertain, with various parties involved in seeking a resolution to the longstanding conflict in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters on Friday on the South Lawn with his helicopter awaiting, Trump attributed the breakdown in talks to Hamas, stating that their leverage had diminished as more hostages were released or died in custody. He emphasized that with only a few hostages left, Hamas was hesitant to make a deal. Trump’s remarks seemed aimed at pushing Hamas towards accepting the current proposal to end the conflict. A senior Israeli official expressed hope that Hamas would come to terms with reality to close the remaining gaps. Although the outcome of Trump and Witkoff’s efforts remains uncertain, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce expressed confidence that progress would be made. With the situation in Gaza deteriorating rapidly, there is a growing sense of urgency to reach an agreement. Trump criticized Hamas for hindering aid distribution and highlighted the US contribution of $60 million towards food and supplies. Despite concerns about aid distribution, a US government review found no widespread theft of humanitarian aid by Hamas. Meanwhile, key US allies like the UK and France have taken a tougher stance on Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Trump dismissed France’s move to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly as insignificant.
“He is a genuinely nice person whom I admire. However, his opinion lacks significance.” This story includes contributions from CNN’s Jeremy Diamond and Jennifer Hansler. To access more CNN news and newsletters, sign up at CNN.com.
