US President Donald Trump said Friday that Hamas did not want a ceasefire deal in Gaza, after Israel and the United States quit indirect negotiations with the Palestinian militant group.
“It was too bad. Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die,” Trump said.
Mediators in Qatar had been travelling between Israeli and Hamas delegations for more than two weeks in an effort to broker a truce and the release of Israeli detainees after nearly two years of conflict.
Despite recalling negotiators from Doha, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his government was still seeking a deal.
The US president blamed Hamas, saying, “Now we’re down to the final hostages, and they know what happens after you get the final hostages.”
He also dismissed the decision by French president Emmanuel Macron to recognise a Palestinian state.
“He’s a very good guy; I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight,” Trump said.
