US President Donald Trump has asked Israel to intensify its military campaign against Hamas. His comments came just days after he pulled US negotiators out of Gaza ceasefire talks.
While speaking in Scotland during a private four-day visit, Trump said Hamas had crossed a line. “I think they want to die, and it’s very, very bad. It got to be to a point where you’re gonna have to finish the job,” he said.
This marks a shift in Trump’s approach. He has moved from promoting peace talks to supporting stronger military action.
Trump Sends Clear Message to Israel
Trump told Israel directly that it needs to act firmly. “They’re gonna have to fight and they’re gonna have to clean it up. You’re gonna have to get rid of ‘em,” he said.
His comments suggest that he will not push Israel to limit its ongoing military operations in Gaza. These actions have already lasted 21 months. At the same time, the humanitarian crisis in the region is getting worse. One UN official described the people of Gaza as “walking corpses.”
US Steps Away from Gaza Ceasefire Talks
Earlier this week, the US officially pulled its team out of the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Special envoy Steve Witkoff blamed Hamas for the failure of the talks. He said the US would now “consider alternative options.”
For over two weeks, mediators in Qatar tried to bridge the gap between Israeli and Hamas delegations. Their main goals were to end the fighting and secure the release of Israeli hostages. But these indirect talks did not succeed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel still wants a ceasefire. However, he claimed Hamas was blocking any deal. Because of this, Israel also recalled its negotiators from Doha.
Gaza Faces Starvation Crisis
While diplomatic efforts stall, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is reaching alarming levels. The UN’s World Food Programme has warned of rising hunger. It reported, “Malnutrition is surging with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of treatment.”
This week, warnings of starvation grew more serious. On Friday, nine more people died of malnutrition, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Since the start of the war, 122 people have died from hunger-related causes.
France and UK Urge Israel to Allow Aid
France and the United Kingdom have expressed concern about the worsening conditions in Gaza. In a joint statement, they called on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid.
“Withholding essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable,” the two countries said.
They urged Israel to immediately lift restrictions that are preventing life-saving aid from entering the territory.