In a fraught and escalating situation, US President Donald Trump has levied accusations at Hamas, stating that the Palestinian militant group is unwilling to negotiate a ceasefire deal in Gaza. This comes as Israel prepares to explore “alternative options” following the collapse of negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing hostage crisis, which has left communities in disarray after more than 21 months of war.
After US and Israeli negotiators abandoned indirect talks in Qatar, Trump expressed regret, claiming, “It was too bad. Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die.” His assertion follows a string of violent upheavals, ignited by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Trump added that Hamas is reluctant to release the remaining captives because of their understanding of the consequences that follow once hostages are freed.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials indicated plans to resume aid air drops over the besieged Gaza Strip, an area suffering from escalating humanitarian concerns, particularly alarming rates of malnutrition among children. Aid organisations have reported “mass starvation” is spreading as the conflict drags on. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) revealed alarming statistics, noting that a quarter of young children, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, screened at their clinics recently were malnourished.
In a joint statement, the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany condemned the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, urging the Israeli government to lift restrictions on aid flow and facilitate the urgent work of humanitarian organisations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also voiced his outrage over the suffering of starving Palestinians, calling it a “moral crisis that challenges the global conscience.” Despite criticism, Israel maintains that it is not responsible for the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, which it describes as “man-made.”
In strong opposition to the US and Israel’s stance, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim accused Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, of misrepresenting the negotiation processes. The ongoing discourse remains rooted in deep mistrust, with Witkoff suggesting that Hamas has not acted “in good faith” in the negotiations that concluded earlier this week.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed, “Together with our US allies, we are now considering alternative options to bring our hostages home, end Hamas’s terror rule, and secure lasting peace.” Alternative options were not specified but indicate a potential escalation in response to the increasing violence. Notably, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called for severe measures, including a complete blockade on aid and the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in Gaza.
Despite incoming aid, humanitarian groups remain critical, arguing that air drops cannot adequately replace established land access. Previous parachute operations have resulted in tragic deaths, highlighting the dangers that come with waiting for aid. One Palestinian, Fatima al-Shawaf, mourned the loss of a relative who was killed while seeking essential help: “I would rather we die of hunger than have anyone go to this trap that is killing our youth. It is a trap,” she lamented.
The World Food Programme warns that the dire humanitarian conditions are marked by desperation, with nearly a third of Gaza’s population reportedly going for days without eating. The Israeli military campaign has reportedly led to the deaths of over 59,000 Palestinians, many of whom are civilians, exacerbating the sense of crisis as the region remains engulfed in violence and turmoil.