Hamas rejects us criticism after the collapse of Gaza’s ceasefire negotiations

Hamas rejected criticism from senior US officials after ceasefire discussions with Israel broke down earlier in the week.

“We are dismayed by the statements of the American president Trump and earlier by the American special envoy Witkoff, who contradicts the evaluation by the mediators of the position of Hamas and is incompatible with the real progress of the negotiations which had been recognized by the mediators, in particular Qatar and Egypt, because they expressed the satisfaction and the appreciation of our political and constructive plan.

Al-Rishq continued by saying that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “the real obstructionist in all agreements”, accusing Israeli officials of continuing to “set up obstacles, deceive and escape commitments”. He then demanded that the United States exert more pressure on Israel “to seriously engage in the end of the attack and the realization of a prisoner exchange agreement”, probably referring to the remaining hostages in Gaza and the Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

US SPECIAL sent to the Middle East Steve Witkoff pronounces remarks alongside President Donald Trump during the Oath for American Acting Lawyer for Washington, DC Jeanine Pirro in the Oval Office of the White House on May 28, 2025, in Washington, DC (Images Andrew Harnik / Getty)

The United States draws the team of ceasefire talks in Qatar after Israel does the same, saying that Hamas acts in bad faith

The Trump administration spent months trying to end the war between Israel and Hamas, without a view in sight.

Hopes for a cease-fire in Gaza attented the United States more after the United States withdrew its Qatar delegation. The American special envoy in the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said in a statement that this was due to the fact that Hamas’ response to negotiations showed “a lack of desire to reach a cease-fire in Gaza”.

“While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not seem to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the inhabitants of Gaza,” Witkoff said in a statement on Thursday.

Witkoff added that it was a “shame” Hamas acted in such a “selfish” way and that the United States is resolved in its efforts to provide permanent peace to the region.

The Palestinians walk near the rubble of the buildings during the Eid Al-Adha holidays, in Gaza City, on June 6, 2025. (Reuters / Mahmoud Issa)

The position of Hamas’ “hardens” in the ceasefire ceasefire while Netanyahu recalls the negotiation team

The same day, the United States has announced that its negotiators would leave Qatar, Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli team would also retire, quoting Hamas’ response.

President Donald Trump expressed his disappointment with the management of negotiations by Hamas while speaking with the press outside the White House on Friday. He hypothesized that Hamas did not want to conclude an agreement because “they know what is happening after having released the final hostages” from Gaza.

“Hamas didn’t really want to conclude an agreement. I think they want to die, and it’s very, very bad,” said Trump. “It is at a point where you will have to finish the work.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, keeps President Donald Trump a file at a meeting in the White House blue room on Monday, July 7, 2025, in Washington, DC (AP photo / Alex Brandon)

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Qatar and Egypt, which acted as mediators in talks, published a joint declaration Friday during which countries confirmed that they would continue to work on securing a ceasefire.

“The two countries, in partnership with the United States of America, reaffirm their commitment to continue efforts to achieve a complete agreement for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip,” said Qatar and Egypt.

Although the breakdown of negotiations is a clear setback, discussions should resume next week, According to Reuterswhich quoted Al-Qahera News TV affiliated with the Egyptian state.

Alec Schemmel of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.