• The US and Israel have recalled their negotiating teams from Gaza ceasefire talks, blaming Hamas for obstructing progress.
• President Trump accused Hamas of lacking the desire for a ceasefire and stated they might prefer continued conflict.
• International concern is growing over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with reports of widespread starvation and suffering.

The United States and Israel have officially withdrawn their delegations from Gaza ceasefire negotiations, with US envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of not "acting in good faith." He indicated that the latest response from Hamas showed "a lack of desire" for reaching a truce, marking another failure in attempts to halt hostilities that have decimated the region over the past 21 months, according to SCMP and India Times.

In a press statement, Trump claimed, “Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die,” suggesting that the group is unwilling to negotiate because of the impending consequences of releasing hostages. His remarks followed the sudden withdrawal of negotiating teams after a perceived breakdown in discussions, emphasizing an increasingly hostile approach towards Hamas, as noted by HuffPost and NPR.

Hamas leaders refuted the claims made by Trump and Witkoff, arguing that they had engaged positively in the negotiations and were genuinely committed to reaching a ceasefire agreement. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim emphasized the group’s flexibility and progress made during the talks, which he said starkly contradict the negative portrayal by US officials, according to Reuters and AA.

International scrutiny is intensifying as reports emerge of a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with significant starvation and suffering among the civilian population. Health authorities in Gaza have stated that many lives are being lost due to malnutrition and lack of access to food, as some human rights organizations call for immediate action to alleviate the crisis and allow humanitarian aid into the region, as mentioned by Channel News Asia and Dawn.

Both Hamas and mediators Qatar and Egypt expressed disappointment over the negotiation breakdown, indicating that such withdrawals are sometimes a normative part of complex diplomatic processes. Despite heightened tensions, both mediating nations remain committed to resuming discussions aimed at securing a sustainable peace and improving conditions for the people of Gaza, citing the need for a cooperative approach to end the ongoing violence, according to The Jakarta Post and Middle East Eye.