Date set for Gaza fighting to resume; Trump defends Hamas talks

Amid reports that Washington suspected Israel leaked the news of the direct talks with Hamas to sabotage the talks, Donald Trump insisted: ‘We have to negotiate’.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to reporters. Picture: AFP.

Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy has confirmed that a date has been set for a return to fighting between Israel and Hamas as the President defended his administration’s direct talks with the militant group.

Steve Witkoff refused to say when fighting would resume, but told reporters at The White House Washington’s priority was the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, and floated the threat of joint US-Israel action against Hamas unless all captives were freed.

“I think there’s going to be some action taken” if Hamas fails to surrender its hostages, Mr Witkoff said. “It could be jointly with the Israelis.”

Asked if Mr Witkoff meant the US would join Israel in a military action, Mr Trump said: “Well, we’re going to find out.”

“Somebody’s going to have to get a lot rougher than they’re getting. It’s a shame,” Trump added.

Amid reports that Washington suspected Israel leaked the news of the unprecedented negotiations with Hamas to sabotage the talks, Mr Trump said: “We’re not doing anything in terms of Hamas. We’re not giving cash.

“You have to negotiate. There’s a difference between negotiating and paying. We want to get these people out,” he said.

Mr Witkoff also defended the negotiations, after Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unhappy they were taking place.

The talks between Hamas and US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, which have been held in Doha, have been focused on securing the release of American-Israeli hostage Mr Alexander, the only surviving US captive still in Hamas hands. The US also wants the bodies of American-Israelis Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein returned.

Mr Witkoff praised Mr Boehler’s efforts but said the talks stumbled after it became clear Hamas “were going to be thinking about (peace negotiations) a certain way … That’s important information for us to have. And so came the tweet from the president,” he added, referencing Mr Trump’s post on social media warning that “all hell will break loose” if the hostages weren’t freed.

“The president’s message yesterday to Hamas was that he was fed up. I wouldn’t test the president … There will be consequences,” he said.

In a terse statement following revelations of the talks, Mr Netanyahu’s office said: “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.”

Mr Witkoff said he hoped the situation could be resolved diplomatically through negotiations. “If the dialogue doesn’t work, then the alternative is not such a good alternative for Hamas,” he said. “Hamas has an opportunity to act reasonably, to do what’s right, and then to walk out,” he added, saying that that Hamas would no longer govern Gaza.

“It’s the Israelis who control Gaza today … and the counterparty is Hamas,” he said. “Any action principally comes from the Israelis. But you heard the president say yesterday, he’s giving the Israelis anything they need. It’s the Israelis [who will act], but with very, very strong physical and emotional support from the United States.”

In his Truth Social post, Mr Trump also warned of repercussions for Gaza as a whole, where virtually the entire population has been displaced by Israel’s relentless military campaign in response to Hamas’s attack.

“To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”

Mr Witkoff said Mr Trump’s message to Hamas was, “Your behaviour is unacceptable. You need to clean up your behaviour.”

“We’re prepared to have dialogue. But if the dialogue doesn’t work, then the alternative is not such a good alternative for Hamas,” he said.

The militant group has warned that Donald Trump’s threats against its leadership would encourage Israel to ignore the fragile ceasefire, but the group’s armed wing said it remained committed to the fragile ceasefire.

“Despite all the enemy’s attempts at evasion, lies and deception … we preferred and still prefer to adhere to the agreement in order to spare the blood of our people,” Abu Obaida, spokesman for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said in a video statement.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasim said Trump’s words pushed Israel to disregard the terms of a ceasefire in place since January 19, after more than 15 months of war.

“These threats complicate matters regarding the ceasefire agreement and encourage the occupation to avoid implementing its terms,” Mr Qasim said, urging the United States to pressure Israel to enter the ceasefire’s second phase.

AFP