Trump Urges Israel to ‘Finish the Job’ Against Hamas Despite Earlier Ceasefire Hopes – July 25, 2025
Trump Calls for Escalation
President Donald Trump on Friday, July 25, 2025, called on Israel to ‘finish the job‘ against Hamas, a dramatic change in tone mere weeks after speaking positively of a possible ceasefire deal. Addressing reporters before he left for a trip to Scotland, Trump stated, “Hamas didn’t want to make a deal. I think they want to die… You’re gonna have to ‘finish the job‘ against Hamas.“
The comments were issued as the frustration over the lagging negotiations in Doha grew, where U.S. and Israeli negotiating teams had been holding indirect talks with Hamas through Qatari and Egyptian mediation. Trump’s representative, Steve Witkoff, had previously backed out of the talks, citing Hamas’s failure to act in good faith.
From Ceasefire Hopes to Hardline Rhetoric
Trump’s remarks are a sharp reversal of his previous position. In early July, he had indicated that an imminent 60-day ceasefire was on the horizon, with Hamas set to free hostages as part of a package involving humanitarian relief and Israeli concessions. At the time, Trump said the agreement could “lead to a lasting peace in Gaza.
Yet, negotiations broke down as Hamas presented counteroffers that Israel promptly rejected. The U.S. and Israel then withdrew their teams from the negotiations, citing Hamas’ refusal to negotiate.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Trump, saying that Israel and the U.S. are now pursuing “alternative options” to return hostages and replace Hamas’ rule.
Conflict Status: Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The 21-month war between Hamas and Israel has destroyed Gaza. Over 59,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023, the Health Ministry of Gaza reported. The humanitarian crisis has deepened considerably with reports of mass starvation and aid agencies ringing an alarm of a “catastrophic” crisis.
Israel is insisting it has admitted ample aid into Gaza, faulting the UN for failures in distribution. But international monitors and aid agencies contradict this, pointing to Israeli restrictions as well as logistical bottlenecks.
Responses from Principal Actors
Hamas officials were shocked by Trump’s comments – “finishing the job” against Hamas. Senior political bureau member Bassem Naim blamed the U.S. for distorting the talks and being too close to Israeli interests. Hamas says its newest offers were “flexible and positive” in their intent to stop the agony of Gaza.
International leaders, meanwhile, have complained. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize Palestine as a state before the UN General Assembly in September, calling on hostilities to cease immediately and humanitarian aid to be provided unconditionally. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joined the calls for Israel to open up the aid restrictions and cease hostilities.
Implications for U.S. Middle East Policy
Donald Trump used the term “finishing the job” against Hamas to describe a prolongation of hardline policies in his first term. His administration already declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, moved the U.S. embassy, and arranged the Abraham Accords. That normalized relationships between Israel and some Arab nations.
Though these actions have been criticized as turning points in history by some, others have called them betrayals of the Palestinian cause and provoking Israeli aggression. Trump’s latest talk is a wink in the direction of going back to war, not diplomacy, and America’s role in the Middle East of the future is the subject of speculation aplenty.
Looking Ahead
With ceasefire talks suspended, the humanitarian conditions getting worse, it’s not clear how things will go forward. Qatar and Egyptian middlemen say that talks most likely will resume, but have no set timeline.
The analysts concur that the statements of Trump can help solidify the positions, turning it into a virtual despairing situation for a diplomatic solution. Whether America will again head back to the negotiating table or widen the military offensive is yet to be known.
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