President Trump insisted Thursday that the fastest way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was for Hamas to finally agree to a ceasefire with Israel. “The fastest way to end the

President Trump said on Thursday that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will end if Hamas releases the hostages and surrenders. Why it matters: The comment from the president marks a change in tone from others he made in recent days that put the onus on Israel to improve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Arab and Muslim states including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have for the first time issued a joint call for Hamas to disarm and relinquish power in the Gaza Strip as part of efforts to end the war in the territory.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt joined 14 other countries in signing a landmark declaration at a U.N. conference.

U.S. President Donald Trump believes that recognizing Palestinian statehood would be rewarding the militant group Hamas and he does not intend to do that, a White House official said on Wednesday, after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his country's decision on the issue.

Britain rejected Israeli criticism on Wednesday that it was rewarding militant group Hamas by setting out plans to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel took steps to improve the situation in Gaza and bring about peace.