Netanyahu and Trump Signal Collapse of Gaza Ceasefire Talks as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

 Efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appeared to falter on Friday, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump both signaled a hardening stance, accusing the Palestinian militant group of rejecting a negotiated resolution.

Speaking publicly, Netanyahu stated that Israel was now exploring “alternative options” to achieve its core objectives—securing the return of hostages and dismantling Hamas’s control over Gaza. The Israeli leader’s comments came amid a dire humanitarian emergency, with widespread displacement and famine-like conditions engulfing the war-torn enclave.

President Trump echoed similar sentiments, asserting that Hamas leaders “did not want a deal” and suggesting that the group was now likely to be “hunted down.” “I think they want to die,” Trump told reporters. “It’s very bad. You’ve got to finish the job.”

The joint remarks leave little room for renewed negotiations in the immediate future, even as global concern intensifies over the worsening hunger and devastation in Gaza.

In a significant political move, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would formally recognize an independent Palestinian state, becoming the first major Western power to do so amid the ongoing crisis. While the United Kingdom and Germany stopped short of recognition, they joined France in calling for an immediate ceasefire. British Prime Minister Keith Starmer reaffirmed that recognition of Palestinian statehood would only come as part of a negotiated peace agreement.

Trump dismissed Macron’s announcement outright. “What he says doesn’t matter,” Trump said. “He’s a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight.”

Both the United States and Israel withdrew their negotiating delegations from ceasefire talks in Qatar on Thursday, just hours after Hamas submitted its latest proposal. While initial reports indicated that the Israeli delegation’s departure was for internal consultations, Netanyahu’s comments later suggested a definitive shift away from diplomacy.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff attributed the breakdown in talks to Hamas, an assessment Netanyahu endorsed. However, senior Hamas official Basem Naim described the negotiations as "constructive" and accused Witkoff of serving Israel’s political agenda. “What we have presented—fully aware of the complexity of the situation—could have led to a deal, had the enemy been willing,” Naim said.

Despite the diplomatic impasse, mediators Qatar and Egypt reported incremental progress in the latest round of discussions and reaffirmed their commitment to securing a ceasefire in cooperation with the United States.

The proposed agreement involved a 60-day suspension of hostilities, increased humanitarian access to Gaza, and the phased release of approximately 50 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, disputes over the extent of Israel’s military withdrawal and the absence of guarantees beyond the 60-day period have stalled progress.

In Israel, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir praised Netanyahu’s stance, calling for a total cessation of aid to Gaza and a full-scale military conquest of the enclave. “Total annihilation of Hamas, encourage emigration, (Jewish) settlement,” he posted on X.

Humanitarian Emergency Escalates

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated sharply, with international aid agencies warning of widespread hunger among the enclave’s 2.2 million residents. After fully sealing off Gaza in March, Israel partially reopened access in May under strict new conditions. However, aid deliveries remain critically insufficient.

On Friday, the Israeli military announced it had authorized international airdrops of humanitarian aid into Gaza—a move Hamas dismissed as symbolic. “Gaza does not need aerial stunts,” said Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza media office. “It needs a functioning humanitarian corridor and a continuous daily flow of aid trucks to prevent more civilian deaths.”

Medical authorities in Gaza reported nine additional deaths from starvation over the past 24 hours, adding to dozens who have died in recent weeks. The Israeli government maintains that sufficient aid has entered Gaza and accuses the United Nations of distribution failures—a claim the U.N. disputes, citing operational constraints under Israeli-imposed restrictions.

On Friday, U.N. agencies warned that supplies of life-saving therapeutic food for malnourished children were critically low. In a formal request, U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher demanded that Israel provide evidence supporting allegations that U.N. humanitarian staff are affiliated with Hamas.

Meanwhile, Israeli military operations continued across Gaza. Palestinian health officials reported at least 21 deaths on Friday from airstrikes and ground assaults, including five civilians killed at a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza City. Among the dead was journalist Adam Abu Harbid, whose body—wrapped in a shroud and his PRESS flak jacket—was carried through the streets by grieving colleagues.

Israel denies deliberately targeting journalists.

The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters attacked Israeli towns near the Gaza border, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military offensive, which Gaza health officials say has killed nearly 60,000 people and devastated the enclave.