Trump says Israel will have to 'make a decision' on next steps in Gaza

AL-Monitor
Jul 27, 2025
FILE PHOTO: The son of displaced Palestinian woman Iman Suleiman, from Beit Lahiya, carries a box of aid the family received, distributed by the Emirates Red Crescent, in Gaza City, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Khamis Al-Rifi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The son of displaced Palestinian woman Iman Suleiman, from Beit Lahiya, carries a box of aid the family received, distributed by the Emirates Red Crescent, in Gaza City, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Khamis Al-Rifi/File Photo — Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday Israel would have to make a decision on next steps in Gaza, adding that he did not know what would happen after moves by Israel to pull out of ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations with the Hamas militant group.

Trump underscored the importance of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, saying they had suddenly "hardened" up on the issue.

"They don't want to give them back, and so Israel is going to have to make a decision," Trump told reporters at the start of a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his golf property in Turnberry, Scotland.

(Reporting by Andrew Gray, writing by Andrea ShalalEditing by Marguerita Choy)