President Trump insisted Thursday that the fastest way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was for Hamas to finally agree to a ceasefire with Israel.
“The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!” he wrote in an early Truth Social post.
Trump’s remark came as his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was slated to touch down in Israel in a bid to salvage the cease-fire talks — as starvation continues to grip the Palestinian enclave.
Trump urged Hamas to surrender Thursday to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Ron Sachs/CNP / SplashNews.com
Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen, in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 26, 2025. APWitkoff is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his stop.
The cease-fire talks between the Jewish state and terror group ended in a deadlock last week after both sides pointed the finger at each other over the delays in bringing an end to the fighting.
Israel on Wednesday had fired back a response to Hamas’ latest amendments to a US proposal that would see a 60-day truce and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a source told Reuters.
Israeli officials have in recent days suggested that Israel annex parts of Gaza if the stalemate continues.
Netanyahu has repeatedly said he won’t end the war until Hamas no longer rules the enclave and lays down its arms.
Hamas, however, has rejected the calls to disarm.
Hamas members in Gaza before the release of Israeli hostages in Feburary. MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockMeanwhile, Witkoff’s visit comes as Israel continues to face mounting pressure over the ongoing crisis in Gaza after harrowing scenes of starving Palestinians exploded into public view.
Israel’s Public Broadcaster Kan said Witkoff would pay a visit to an aid distribution site in Gaza.
Trump, for his part, has called for the US and other nations to “get some food” to the refugee population as famine looms large over the Palestinian enclave.
Trump’s post comes as his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is slated to touch down in Israel in a bid to salvage the cease-fire talks.
Israel announced over the weekend that it would halt military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza to allow aid, including food and medicine, to be delivered after images of starving Palestinian children alarmed the world.
The United Nations said they and its partners had been able to bring additional food into Gaza in the first two days of pauses — but it was “still far from enough”.
With Post wires
