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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to abandon efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza with Hamas on Friday. Both leaders stated it was clear that the Palestinian militants did not want a deal. Netanyahu said Israel would now consider “alternative” options to achieve its goals of bringing home hostages from Gaza and ending the rule of Hamas. Trump indicated he believed Hamas leaders would now be “hunted down.”
These remarks left little room for resuming negotiations to halt the fighting, especially given the growing humanitarian crisis in war-torn Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron, responding to this situation, announced that Paris would become the first major Western power to recognize an independent Palestinian state. Britain and Germany said they were not yet ready to do so.
On Thursday, Israel and the U.S. withdrew their delegations from ceasefire talks in Qatar, hours after Hamas submitted its response to a truce proposal. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on X: “The humiliating negotiation ceremony with terrorists is over. Mr Prime Minister, now is the time for victory!”
Hamas official Basem Naim criticized U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s remarks, saying they aimed to exert pressure on Israel. The proposed ceasefire would have suspended fighting for 60 days, allowed more aid into Gaza, and freed some of the remaining hostages held by militants in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
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The Israeli military agreed to let countries airdrop aid into Gaza, but Hamas dismissed this as a stunt. “The Gaza Strip does not need flying aerobatics; it needs an open humanitarian corridor and steady daily flow of aid trucks,” said Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office.
Gaza medical authorities reported nine more Palestinians had died from malnutrition or starvation in the last 24 hours. Israel denies intentionally targeting journalists but launched its assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters killed some 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages on October 7, 2023.
European powers criticized France’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state, with Netanyahu calling it “a reward for terrorism.” Germany and Britain said they had no immediate plans to act on Palestinian statehood. Israel and the U.S. also condemned Macron’s move, stating that Israel’s security was of paramount importance.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
What was the outcome of the ceasefire negotiations between Israel, the U.S., and Hamas according to the passage?
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