Trump tells Hamas: Surrender now to end Gaza crisis

US President Donald Trump has called on Hamas to surrender, saying it is the fastest way to end the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Gaza Strip.

He made the appeal in a post published on July 31 on his social media platform, Truth Social, per Caliber.Az.

His remarks came just one day after a rare joint statement from Arab and Muslim countries — including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt — echoed similar demands. On July 30, these nations, together with the full 22-member Arab League, the European Union, and 17 other countries, called on Hamas to disarm, relinquish control of Gaza, and pave the way for a two-state solution under the Palestinian Authority.

The declaration, issued during ongoing talks in New York, condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that triggered nearly two years of devastating war in the Gaza Strip. It also demanded the release of all hostages still held by Hamas.

At the same time, the document criticised Israeli military operations in Gaza that have resulted in mass civilian casualties, and called on Israel to withdraw from both Gaza and the West Bank.

The joint appeal from international and regional actors comes as conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate, with international aid agencies warning of growing famine. The World Health Organisation has reported that both children and adults are dying of starvation at an accelerating pace.

On July 29, President Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, announced that the United States would partner with Israel to establish new food distribution centres in Gaza. “We’re going to be dealing with Israel, and we think they can do a good job of it,” he said, though he did not provide specifics on how the aid would be delivered.

Trump also appeared to diverge from the position of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has dismissed claims of widespread hunger in Gaza and insisted that Israel is already facilitating humanitarian aid. Trump countered that assessment, stating, “Children in Gaza look very hungry,” indicating a shift in his stance on the humanitarian situation.

By Tamilla Hasanova