ALWAGHT- Trump’s remarks on Gaza talks were rejected by Hamas, which accused "Israel" of obstruction and urged the United States to stop defending the occupation.
Hamas has rejected recent statements by US President Donald Trump and envoy Steve Witkoff regarding Gaza ceasefire negotiations, calling them inaccurate and misleading. The group emphasized that its position throughout the talks has been serious and constructive, with key mediators like Qatar and Egypt recognizing Hamas’s flexibility and commitment to reaching a comprehensive agreement. Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq stated that their final response was formulated after consultations with Palestinian factions, mediators, and allied nations, in line with proposals in the Witkoff document.
Hamas highlighted that its negotiation efforts have prioritized humanitarian concerns, including the unimpeded flow of aid through UN channels and the reduction of military buffer zones to allow displaced civilians to return home. The group also pushed back against US accusations of aid theft, citing a USAID investigation reported by Reuters that found no evidence linking Hamas to stolen assistance. The movement demanded that the US stop shielding the Israeli occupation and called for meaningful pressure on Tel Aviv to engage in a prisoner exchange and cease its military aggression.
In response to Trump’s claim that Hamas was uninterested in a deal and should be "eliminated," the group accused the Netanyahu government of obstructing progress and avoiding commitments. Hamas described Trump’s rhetoric as a blank check for continued Israeli aggression and genocide in Gaza, pointing to ongoing US arms support and vetoes of UN ceasefire resolutions. Despite the collapse of talks in Doha, Hamas reaffirmed its readiness for responsible negotiations aimed at ending the violence and securing justice for Palestinians.