US President Donald Trump said that Hamas's unwillingness to agree to a ceasefire agreement means it's time to finish the job and eliminate the Palestinian militant group.

He added

Trump

On the South Lawn of the White House before leaving for Scotland, in exclusive statements to Fox News, I think they want to die, and that's very bad... and it's gotten to the point where we have to finish the job.

Trump about

#Gaza

"Hamas doesn't really want to make a deal. I think they want to die... Israel will have to finish the job... They will have to fight and they will have to clean it up (i.e., completely annihilate the Palestinians). Israel will have to get rid of them." Official lunatic.

— Samar D Jarrah (@SamarDJarrah)

July 25, 2025

Trump's comment suggests he will do little to pressure Israel to back down from its military campaign in Gaza, despite the horrific humanitarian conditions there.

Instead, Trump suggested that the time might be right to escalate the fighting, as reaching an agreement became increasingly elusive. Trump said that the Israelis would have to fight, and they would have to clean it up—they would have to get rid of (Hamas).

He explained that he always believed that Hamas would not want to release the remaining hostages because the group did not want to lose its bargaining chip and its protection.

Trump said about Hamas: Now they will be hunted down.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday evening that the Palestinian armed group's reaction to the latest proposal showed a lack of willingness.

He added that alternative options for returning the hostages still held by Hamas would be considered, a statement confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.