Former United States President Donald Trump has accused Hamas of deliberately avoiding a peace deal in Gaza, claiming the militant group prefers conflict over resolution.
“Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die,” Trump said on Friday, addressing the media shortly after Israel and the US pulled out of indirect ceasefire negotiations with the Palestinian faction.
The talks, which were brokered by Qatari officials in Doha, had been ongoing for over two weeks and aimed to secure both a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages. But progress stalled, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that his government had recalled its negotiation team from the talks, though he insisted Israel remained open to a future agreement.
Trump criticised Hamas’ handling of the negotiation process, suggesting that the group was stalling due to the dwindling number of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
“Now we’re down to the final hostages, and they know what happens after you get the final hostages,” he said, hinting at expected military escalation once all captives are accounted for.
The former president also reacted to French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent decision to recognise a Palestinian state, brushing off the move as symbolic.
“He’s a very good guy, I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight,” Trump remarked.
Fighting between Israel and Hamas has intensified since October 2023, following a surprise attack that led to the deaths of over 1,200 people in Israel and triggered a prolonged military offensive in Gaza.
The conflict has since caused thousands of casualties and drawn global calls for a humanitarian ceasefire.
