President Trump Calls Hamas Must Surrender And Free Hostages To End Suffering In Gaza

US President Donald Trump. (Wikimedia Commons/Official White House/Daniel Torok)

JAKARTA - United States President Donald Trump said Palestinian militant group Hamas must surrender and release the 50 hostages it involves to end hunger and suffering in the Gaza Strip.

"The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza is Hamas SURRENDING AND RELEASING SANDERA!!!" wrote President Trump on his Truth Social platform, reported The Times of Israel July 31.

This comment comes after a special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Gaza, including hostage-taking negotiations that had stalled.

President Trump, Witkoff and PM Netanyahu blamed the deadlock on Hamas' reluctance to negotiations mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt.

However, the US envoy will reportedly urge Netanyahu to give concessions in hopes of returning negotiations to their path.

On the other hand, Hamas has denied allegations by the US and Israel, and will reinforce its position in negotiations, after US and Israeli decelerations withdrew from negotiations in Doha, Qatar last week, sources familiar with this were quoted as saying by CNN.

This week, a number of countries, including France, Britain, and Canada announced plans to recognize the Palestinian State. This has drawn criticism from the US and Israel, but is believed to have put pressure on PM Netanyahu's government.

It is known that the latest conflict in Gaza broke out after a Palestinian militant group attacked Israel's southern region on October 7, 2023, leaving 1,200 people dead and 251 others held hostage according to Israeli calculations.

Israel responded to this by blocking, airstrikes and military operations in the Gaza Strip region.

Israel and the Palestinian militant group agreed to a ceasefire as well as exchange of hostages and detainees on January 19. At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are believed to be still alive. The majority of the initial hostages have been released through diplomatic negotiations, although the Israeli military has also released several hostages.

On March 2, Israel again carried out a total blockade against Gaza on the pretext of pressuring Palestinian militant groups to agree on a ceasefire proposed by the United States and a exchange of hostages. Over the end of the ceasefire agreement, Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18.

Meanwhile, a medical source in Gaza said on Wednesday, until yesterday the Palestinian death toll since October 2023 had reached 60,239 people, while the injured reached 146,894 people, quoted from WAFA.