U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday Israel would have to make a decision on next steps in Gaza, adding he did not know what would happen after the collapse of ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations with Hamas.
Al Khalady mosque in Gaza © Mena Today
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday Israel would have to make a decision on next steps in Gaza, adding he did not know what would happen after the collapse of ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations with Hamas.
Trump underscored the importance of securing the release of hostages held by Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza, saying they had suddenly "hardened" up on the issue. He added Washington would provide more aid to the Palestinian enclave devastated by U.S. ally Israel's military assault.
"They don't want to give them back, and so Israel is going to have to make a decision," Trump told reporters at the start of a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland.
"I know what I'd do, but I don't think it's appropriate that I say it. But Israel is going to have to make a decision," he said, while also claiming, without evidence, that Hamas was stealing food coming into Gaza and selling it.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, alleging Hamas did not want a deal.
Netanyahu said Israel was now mulling "alternative" options to achieve its goals of bringing its hostages home and ending Hamas rule in Gaza, where starvation is spreading and most of the population is homeless amid widespread ruin from Israel's assault.
Trump said he believed Hamas leaders would now be "hunted down", telling reporters: "Hamas really didn't want to make a deal. I think they want to die... And it got to be to a point where you're going to have to finish the job."
US TO PROVIDE MORE AID, TRUMP SAYS
Trump on Sunday said Washington would provide more humanitarian aid to Gaza, but wanted other countries to participate as well. He said he would discuss the issue with von der Leyen.
"We're giving a lot of money, a lot of food, a lot of everything," he said. "If we weren't there, I think people would have starved, frankly. They would have starved, and it's not like they're eating well."
He said he spoke with Netanyahu, adding they also discussed Iran. He said he and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer would discuss Israel on Monday.
Trump said Washington was not acknowledged for earlier food aid for Gaza.
"No other country gave anything," he said, calling out Europe in particular. "It makes you feel a little bad when you do that and, you know, you have other countries not giving anything... Nobody gave but us. And nobody said, Gee, thank you very much. And it would be nice to have at least a thank you."
By Andrew Gray, Andrea Shalal and Kanishka Singh
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that Hezbollah was seeking to rearm and that Israel would exercise its right to self-defence under last year's ceasefire accord if Lebanon failed to disarm the militant group.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to call at a meeting in Istanbul on Monday for arrangements to be made as soon as possible to ensure the security and administration of Gaza by Palestinians, a foreign ministry source said on Sunday.
The partial remains of three bodies in Gaza handed over to Israel overnight did not belong to any of the hostages held in the Palestinian territory, Israeli media reported on Saturday.
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