Trump blames Gaza leaders for blocking hopes of dignified future for Palestinians

CAIRO – 14 May 2025: US President Donald Trump said his administration “shares the hope of a future of safety and dignity for the Palestinian people,” as he addressed the US-Gulf summit, held in Riyadh on Wednesday.

He, however, blamed the leaders in Gaza, in obvious reference to Hamas, of assaulting "innocent people," a matter that, he asserts, blocks these hopes.

Trump commended the Gulf leaders’ “constructive role” in a bid to “bring an end to this terrible conflict” in Gaza.

He added that all captives still held in the Strip must be released.

“I think it’s going to happen,” he said.

Monday was a big day for Israel and the US as Israeli-US soldier Edan Alexander, released by Hamas after spending 583 days in captivity since October 7, 2023, was reunited with his family under a Hamas-US agreement.

Hamas continues to hold 58 captives, with 21 presumed alive, and has expressed readiness to release all remaining captives in exchange for an end to the Israeli war.

Israel, however, does not want to end the war and has instead shown willingness to only implement a temporary truce in exchange for the release of captives.

On May 5, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his forces will intensify military operations, shattering hopes for a permanent ceasefire that would bring the captives back home and pave the way for humanitarian aid entry and Gaza reconstruction.