Washington (HRNW)- US President Donald Trump has abruptly pulled out of ongoing talks on a ceasefire in Gaza, giving Israel the green light to intensify military action against Hamas. The decision comes days after Trump expressed hope that a deal would be reached soon to end the conflict.
During the ongoing talks in Doha, when Trump recalled the US team led by his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, there was a great deal of surprise and concern. In the face of a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the decision could be a harbinger of more dangerous consequences.
Until a few weeks ago, Trump was confident that a way out of the Gaza ceasefire would emerge, the hostages would be released and aid supplies to the famine-stricken region would be restored. But when the US accused Hamas of “lack of seriousness,” the negotiation process was suspended. Steve Witkoff announced that other ways were being explored to free the hostages.
In his statement, Trump called on Israel to “complete the mission,” meaning to intensify the attacks. According to CNN, he ignored the international community’s concerns that the civilian population’s condition had deteriorated to an alarming level.
A senior UN official said that the people of Gaza had been reduced to “living corpses.” Heartbreaking images of the starving and emaciated children sparked outrage around the world. During a meeting in Tunis, President Kais Saied showed the images to US adviser Mossad Boulos and said that it was all a “crime against humanity.”
Trump claimed to have provided $60 million in aid, but also accused Hamas of stealing the aid, although US government assessments have not confirmed any such large-scale theft.
Contrary to Trump’s announcement, Egypt and Qatar have vowed to continue the talks. They say that it is normal for the negotiation process to stall at times. A senior Israeli official also said that the talks were not completely over, and that progress could be made again soon.
On the other hand, several Western allies have taken a tough stance on Israel’s behavior. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the Israeli attacks “unnecessary,” while French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to recognize Palestine as a state at the United Nations, to which Israel reacted strongly. Trump called the announcement meaningless.
According to political observers, the failure of the ceasefire in Gaza and the helplessness in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict are seriously damaging Trump’s dream of the Nobel Peace Prize. Some analysts believe that his recent tough stance is actually an attempt to put pressure on Hamas, but it also reflects his frustration, as the talks are deadlocked on some fundamental points, such as the timing of the end of the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
It remains to be seen whether this sudden shift in US policy will bring the parties back to the negotiating table or deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Be the first to comment