President Donald Trump said on July 25 that Hamas does not want a deal and that the terrorist group will be “hunted down.”
“Hamas didn’t want to make a deal,” he told reporters before departing for Scotland. “I think what’s going to happen is they are going to be hunted down.”
Trump said that Israel needs to finish the job of wiping out Hamas.
“They pulled out of negotiating. It was too bad. Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die. And it’s very bad,” he said.
“And it got to the point where you’re going to have to finish the job. They asked for things—don’t forget, we got a lot of hostages out, so now we’re down to the final hostages, and they know what happens after you get the final hostages.
“And basically because of that, they really didn’t want to make a deal. I saw that. So they pulled out, and they’re going to have to fight, and they’re going to have to clean it up. You’re going to have to get rid of them.”
U.S. and Israeli negotiating teams left Doha, Qatar, this week, following unsuccessful negotiations with Hamas to reach a cease-fire and facilitate the release of hostages. There are an estimated 50 hostages remaining in Gaza.
“While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.
“We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concurred with Witkoff and added that alternative options are under consideration, though he did not specify what they were.
Hamas official Basem Naim said on July 25 that negotiations would resume next week.
