The U.S. president stated that Palestinian terrorists do not want to release the remaining hostages
Prior to Donald Trump's statements, the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirmed that Hamas represents an “obstacle” to reaching an agreement that would allow the release of the hostages still held in Gaza.
“The special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, was right. Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release agreement”, Netanyahu stated in an official communiqué.
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, stated this Friday that the terrorist group Hamas is not interested in reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, following the failure of the negotiations.
“Hamas really didn't want to reach an agreement. I think they want to die. It's very, very serious”, Trump declared to the media before departing for Scotland.
The president maintained that the terrorist group is acting based on a calculation: “Now we're with the last hostages, and they know what happens after getting the last hostages. Basically, for that reason, they really didn't want to reach an agreement”.
Trump also downplayed the announcement by his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, regarding the recognition of a terrorist State of Palestine, considering that the statement has no major impact.
“He's a very good guy, I like him, but that statement carries no weight”, said the American leader, referring to the announcement made by Macron, who stated that France will officially recognize Palestine during the next United Nations General Assembly, in September, in New York.
He also added: “In collaboration with our American allies, we're currently studying other options to bring our hostages back, end Hamas's terrorist regime, and ensure lasting peace for Israel and our region”.
At another point in the same press conference, President Donald Trump referred to trade negotiations with the European Union, stating that there is a 50% chance, or even less, of reaching an agreement before the deadline, next August 1.
“I'd say we have a 50/50 chance, maybe less, but a 50/50 chance of reaching an agreement with the EU”, the president stated.
Trump also warned that if an agreement is not reached before the deadline, the United States will impose new 30% tariffs on products imported from Europe.
