President Donald Trump has voiced support for Israel to continue its war on Gaza, following the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations in Qatar. His comments come amid mounting civilian casualties and growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis, with reports indicating that approximately 85% of Gaza’s population is suffering from severe malnutrition.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday before departing for a trip to Scotland, Trump stated, “I think they [Hamas] want to die, and it’s very, very bad. It got to be to a point where you’re [Israel] gonna have to finish the job… They’re gonna have to fight and they’re gonna have to clean it up. You’re gonna have to get rid of ‘em.”
Trump’s remarks followed the departure of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff from Qatar, where negotiations had reached a standstill. The impasse centered on the duration and enforcement of a proposed ceasefire. Hamas has demanded either a permanent ceasefire or firm U.S. guarantees that Israel would uphold a 60-day truce. Witkoff accused Hamas of failing to negotiate in good faith.
In March, Trump publicly admitted to giving Israel the “green light” to break the ceasefire that had been reached in January, That decision heightened Palestinian concerns that any future ceasefire could be short-lived or strategically exploited by Israel.
Trump had previously stated in February his support for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza—a controversial stance aligned with statements made by several senior Israeli officials since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Critics argue that Trump’s foreign policy posture is now solidly aligned with prolonging conflict, including in Ukraine, positioning him as directly responsible for the continuation of wars that originated during the Biden administration.
The humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to escalate. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 10 people died of starvation on both Wednesday and Friday, underscoring the worsening conditions.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S. and Israeli-backed entity that assumed control of aid distribution in late May, has come under severe scrutiny. Over 1,000 civilians seeking aid have reportedly been killed since GHF took over. Israeli media outlets have quoted IDF soldiers admitting they were ordered to open fire on crowds of aid seekers.