Israel And The US Have Pulled Out Of Ceasefire Talks, With Trump Blaming Hamas For "Not Wanting" A Deal
“It was too bad. Hamas didn't really want to make a deal. I think they want to die.”
US President Donald Trump said Hamas “didn't really want to make a deal” after the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating teams from ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, July 24.
“It was too bad. Hamas didn't really want to make a deal. I think they want to die,” Trump said.
Steve Witkoff, the US envoy to the Middle East, blamed Hamas for the breakdown, claiming the group’s latest response showed a “lack of desire” to reach an agreement.
He also accused Hamas of acting in a selfish way and said the US would now explore “alternative options” to bring the Israeli hostages home and “create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.”
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Witkoff’s stance, posting on X, “Witkoff got it right. Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release deal.”
Hamas said it was surprised by Witkoff’s statements and reaffirmed its commitment to negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire.
The group had said on July 18 that Israel had rejected a “comprehensive agreement” proposed by Hamas, which includes the release of all captives held in Gaza in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawal and humanitarian aid access for Palestinians.
Hamas’ armed wing spokesperson said that Netanyahu’s government lacks genuine concern for the hostages, particularly because many are soldiers, after Israel unilaterally broke the nearly two-month ceasefire deal on March 18.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of the hostages, said that it was deeply concerned by the Israeli negotiators’ withdrawal.
"The negotiations have dragged on for far too long. Each day that passes endangers the hostages' chances of recovery and risks losing the ability to locate the fallen or gain vital intelligence about them," it said.
The same evening, people in Israel held large demonstrations calling on the government to make a deal to return all 50 of the remaining hostages, about 23 of whom are believed to be still alive.
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