Trump Envoy Pulls Out of Gaza Truce Efforts \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The U.S. has ended Gaza ceasefire negotiations after citing Hamas’ unwillingness to cooperate. President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the team is returning home to consider “alternative options.” Israel also withdrew its delegation, as humanitarian conditions in Gaza worsen.
Quick Looks
- U.S. halts ceasefire talks in Qatar citing Hamas’ lack of cooperation.
- Trump envoy Steve Witkoff criticizes Hamas for not acting in good faith.
- Israel recalls its negotiators after Hamas’ latest response.
- Planned deal included phased hostage releases and a 60-day truce.
- Hamas demands full Israeli withdrawal; Israel refuses to disarm them.
- Gaza faces famine-level conditions, worsening humanitarian crisis.
- Macron announces France will recognize Palestine as a state.
- Over 100 aid groups condemn Israel’s blockade and food access limits.
- Trump’s efforts to broker peace seen as unsuccessful.
- UN agencies warn of chaos in aid distribution across Gaza.
Deep Look
The Biden administration’s attempt to mediate a Gaza ceasefire has unraveled, with the United States pulling its negotiating team out of Qatar and sharply criticizing Hamas for what officials described as a failure to engage meaningfully in peace talks. The decision, confirmed Thursday by President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, marks a serious setback in the long-delayed attempt to end the war between Israel and Hamas, which has dragged on for nearly two years.
According to Witkoff, Hamas’ latest communication “shows a lack of desire” to finalize a ceasefire agreement. “While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” Witkoff said. He added that the U.S. will now explore “alternative options” to bring hostages home and stabilize Gaza, though no specifics were provided.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott declined to elaborate on those alternatives, saying only that “this is a very dynamic situation.” Pigott emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to a ceasefire but blamed Hamas for undermining progress.
Talks between Hamas and Israeli negotiators had been hosted in Qatar for several weeks, with incremental developments but no significant breakthroughs. The proposed deal under discussion reportedly included a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release 10 hostages alive and the remains of 18 others, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Increased humanitarian aid into Gaza was also part of the framework, along with a commitment to negotiate a permanent ceasefire.
Yet both sides remain deeply entrenched. Hamas insists on a complete Israeli military withdrawal and an end to the war as a precondition for releasing the remaining hostages. Israel, meanwhile, refuses to end the conflict unless Hamas agrees to disarm and surrender control of Gaza. Hamas has suggested it may relinquish governing authority but refuses to hand over weapons.
The militant group is believed to be holding hostages in multiple secret locations, including underground tunnels. In a stark warning, Hamas claims to have instructed its guards to execute hostages if Israeli forces come too close.
The breakdown in talks prompted Israel to also recall its negotiating team on Thursday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expressed gratitude for the mediation efforts of the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, but offered no further comment. This move, mirroring the U.S. withdrawal, signals an effective pause in the diplomatic track, just as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to spiral.
According to the United Nations World Food Programme, nearly 100,000 women and children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Gaza. Aid agencies report that starvation-level conditions are spreading rapidly due to the Israeli blockade, ongoing airstrikes, and a disintegrating distribution system. The Gaza Health Ministry has also noted a disturbing rise in hunger-related deaths.
The worsening crisis has spurred global criticism. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he will hold an emergency call with German and French leaders to coordinate a response. “The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible,” Starmer said. He urged Israel to allow immediate and unrestricted humanitarian aid access.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France will formally recognize Palestine as a state, arguing that ending the war and protecting civilians must be the international community’s top priority.
Israel has rejected accusations of aid obstruction, claiming it is allowing sufficient humanitarian supplies into Gaza. Officials have blamed the United Nations and aid agencies for poor distribution, citing logistical failures and the breakdown of law and order in the enclave. However, UN workers say Israeli restrictions, security concerns, and chaotic local conditions have made organized aid delivery nearly impossible. One American contractor-backed distribution model, supported by both Israel and the U.S., has also been plagued by disorder.
Despite these developments, Trump has remained vocal in his desire to end global conflicts, including the war in Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In recent weeks, he met with Netanyahu in Washington, reaffirming his support for Israel and his willingness to act as a peace broker. However, no agreement was reached, and Netanyahu departed the U.S. without a breakthrough.
Trump has also expressed interest in receiving a Nobel Peace Prize, underscoring his broader ambition to position himself as a global statesman. Yet, his administration’s inability to finalize a ceasefire deal in Gaza, combined with slow progress in Ukraine, has raised questions about the effectiveness of his diplomatic strategies.
Earlier in the week, the State Department indicated that Witkoff would return to the Middle East for further talks, but officials later clarified that he would instead be traveling to Europe. It remains unclear whether he held any relevant meetings there on Thursday.
With negotiations stalled, and the humanitarian situation deteriorating, pressure is mounting on all parties to find a sustainable path forward. Whether through diplomacy, third-party intervention, or renewed international pressure, the future of Gaza—and the lives of thousands of civilians—hangs in the balance.
Trump Envoy Pulls Trump Envoy Pulls
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