Trump expresses doubt about Hamas' willingness to free hostages in the present situation
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Israel, while expressing scepticism about the release of hostages currently being held by the terrorist organization.
During a conversation with Channel 12 News correspondent Barak Ravid, Trump emphasized that the remaining Israeli hostages will only be returned once Hamas is "confronted and destroyed," underscoring that defeating Hamas is a prerequisite for any hostage release and a lasting peace. Trump criticized Hamas for lacking a genuine desire for ceasefire talks, noting that he and his envoy observed bad faith in negotiations before the US and Israel withdrew diplomats from the Qatar talks last month.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue military operations until all hostages are secured and Hamas is disarmed, underscoring a determination to maintain lasting security control over Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas has declared it would only release remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal, revealing a fundamental impasse.
Large numbers of Gaza residents are evacuating ahead of a planned Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ground offensive targeting Hamas’s last urban stronghold, reflecting an escalation on the ground. Netanyahu faces pressure domestically to reach a ceasefire deal due to public protests, but Hamas views such internal Israeli divisions as leverage to reject ceasefire proposals that do not meet their demands, further complicating prospects for resolution.
Trump urged Middle Eastern countries to join the Abraham Accords, but during the conversation with Ravid, he did not express support for the Israeli government's decision to seize Gaza City. The discussion between Trump and Netanyahu focused on ending the war through the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas. Trump emphasized that Israel must decide what actions to take to bring the hostages home and end the war.
The war is ongoing, with hostages being held by Hamas. Trump stated that it will be difficult to achieve the release of hostages, but he credited himself for previously negotiating the release of hundreds of hostages and urged a strong approach to "play to win" in the conflict. The conversation took place without Trump expressing support for the Israeli government's decision to conquer Gaza City.
As the conflict continues, both Trump and Netanyahu are aligned in their desire for a decisive victory over Hamas before any lasting peace or hostage release can occur. The stakes are high, and the international community watches closely as the situation in Gaza unfolds.
Trump reiterated his call for a decisive victory over Hamas during a conversation with Channel 12 News correspondent Barak Ravid, stating that the release of remaining Israeli hostages will only happen once Hamas is confronted and defeated. This stance aligns with Netanyahu's objectives as the Israeli Prime Minister has vowed to maintain military operations until Hamas is disarmed and all hostages are secured. Thus, both politics and general news revolve around this ongoing war-and-conflict in Gaza.
