Trump Says Hamas' Surrender, Hostage Release Would End Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis
US President Donald Trump has called on Hamas to surrender, stating that doing so would be the fastest way to resolve the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. His comments came on Thursday as US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Trump's statement echoes recent remarks by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, who earlier this week urged Hamas to disarm. Mustafa added that control of the Gaza Strip should ultimately be transferred to the Palestinian Authority in an effort to restore order and legitimacy to the region.
Reiterating his demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Trump wrote on Truth Social, 'The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!" He has consistently condemned Hamas in recent months, claiming that the group 'does not really want a deal" and asserting, 'we have to get rid of them."
Trump's latest remarks indicate a notable shift from his earlier tone just last week, when he criticised Israel over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. At the time, he acknowledged that 'there is real starvation in Gaza" and appeared to hold the Israeli government partially responsible for the unfolding crisis.
The specific details of Thursday's meeting between Netanyahu and Witkoff have not yet been disclosed. However, it is expected that discussions centred on the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the possibility of restarting ceasefire talks.
Previous negotiations mediated in Qatar were derailed last week, prompting frustration in Washington. Witkoff expressed disappointment over Hamas' lack of engagement, stating the group showed 'a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza" and accused it of failing to act 'in good faith."
It remains unclear whether Witkoff will visit Gaza during his current trip. His last visit to the region took place in January this year.
Meanwhile, the US Department of State issued a stern warning on July 31, announcing possible sanctions against the Palestinian Authority and members of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. The department stated that these actions were necessary due to their role in 'undermining the prospects for peace," adding, 'It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments."
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
11 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
The Trump Organization has partnered with leading Indian developers, earning nearly ₹175 cr from seven projects: Report
US President Donald Trump's family-run business, The Trump Organization, has treated India as its most significant market outside the US over the past decade. According to a report by The Indian Express, the company has earned at least ₹175 crore through partnerships with top Indian developers across seven projects in Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and Gurugram. The Trump Organisation has earned at least ₹ 175 crore through partnerships with top Indian developers across seven projects in Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and Gurugram.(Picture for representational purposes only)(Panchshil Realty website) Operating on a high-margin, zero-investment model, the firm neither buys land nor funds or constructs projects. Instead, it licenses the Trump brand for luxury real estate developments, collecting branding and development fees upfront, typically earning 3–5% of eventual sales. This asset-light approach has made India the organization's most profitable international market. 'The Trump Organization's earnings from these are yet to be disclosed, but experts said, its partnerships with the biggest builders, not only allows the Trump enterprise to tap into the most lucrative markets in the world's fastest growing economy, but also brings it continuous revenue stream with no financial risk,' the Indian Express report said. Between 2012 and 2019 alone, The Trump Organization earned $11.3 million in royalties and fees from four branded projects in Pune, Mumbai, Gurugram, and Kolkata, the Indian Express report said. By 2024, that figure had jumped. Trump's own financial disclosures show $12 million in new earnings from India, $10 million of which reportedly came from the Mumbai project. Another $2.2 million came from license and royalty fees paid by developers, the report said. 'Over the last eight months, Brand Trump has been on an aggressive expansion drive in India. Soon after his election as the 47th President of the United States of America on November 5, 2024, The Trump Organization, along with its Indian partner Tribeca Developers, announced at least six projects in Gurugram, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Noida and Bengaluru, adding up to 8 million sq feet of realty development," the IE report said. Also Read: Trump Organization enters India's office space segment: What does this mean for the Pune real estate market? From the first project announced in India in 2012, Brand Trump's footprint is set to see, by the time these projects are complete, a near four-fold expansion to 11 million square feet, a sharp jump from approximately 3 million sq ft developed until last year, the report noted. The Trump Organisation's footprint in India Of the total planned projects, three spanning approximately 4.3 million sq ft, or over half of Brand Trump's targeted footprint have already been launched this year in Pune, Gurugram, and Hyderabad. The Pune project, announced in March, marks the brand's first commercial development in the city. The properties are typically billed as luxury developments, with flats commanding a premium due to the President's name being attached to them, said the IE report. The Trump Organization, headquartered in NYC, is a family-controlled conglomerate and functions as the main holding company for Donald J. Trump's various business ventures through numerous subsidiaries spanning various industries, including real estate and hospitality. Founded and majority-held by Donald J. Trump, the organisation has his sons Donald J. Trump Jr. and Eric Trump as executive vice-presidents.
India Today
11 minutes ago
- India Today
Trump ally Marsha Blackburn announces her candidacy for Tennessee governor
Republican senator and Trump ally Marsha Blackburn announced on Wednesday that she will contest for the post of governor in Tennesse.A strong supporter of Donald Trump, Blackburn represents a state he won by almost 30 percentage points; if successful next year, she would be the first female governor in Tennessee's historyBLACKBURN'S OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTBlackburn took it to her social media handle on X to formally announce her bid to run for the post of governor in official! I'm running for Governor to ensure Tennessee is America's conservative leader for this generation and the next.I would be honored to have your support. #TNGov Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) August 6, 2025advertisement It establishes a Republican primary showdown in August 2026 with John Rose, another supporter of Trump. They will contend to succeed GOP Gov. Bill Lee, who is reaching his maximum of two back-to-back four-year terms in her video campaign, she promised leadership in the arena of job creation, energy production and rendering world class education to children. She also made her comment on "deporting illegal aliens".PREVIOUS POLITICAL JOURNEYFirst elected to the US House in 2002, Blackburn aligned with the tea party movement and made regular appearances in Fox News. Prior to that, the Brentwood resident made a name for herself as a state lawmaker who aided to lead the revolt against a proposed Tennessee income tax in the early was the first female to serve Tennessee in the US Senate. In 2018, Blackburn secured her Senate position by almost 11 percentage points against Democrat Phil Bredesen, a well-liked former win signified a rightward shift from earlier Republican senators who had served the state. Last November, she secured reelection against Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson by over 29 percentage primary election for governor is scheduled for Aug 6, 2026.- EndsWith inputs from Associated Press
India Today
11 minutes ago
- India Today
Trump could meet with Putin as soon as next week, says White House aide
US President Donald Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, and follow it up with a three-way meeting that includes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — without any European leaders planned meetings, first reported by the New York Times, came to light during a phone call Trump held on Wednesday with several European leaders. According to reports, Trump said he intended to meet with Putin soon, followed by a second meeting including both Putin and Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelenskyy. President Trump wants this brutal war to end," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, responding to the report. However, she did not address the potential timing of a meeting. The potential meeting was revealed just hours after Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. It's not clear whether Putin or Zelenskyy has officially agreed to the statement came after a three-hour meeting between Witkoff and Putin at the Kremlin, just two days ahead of the US-imposed deadline for Russia to show progress towards a peace agreement or face fresh economic penalties.- Ends
