Hamas issued a scathing statement in which it rejected U.S. criticism of its handling of negotiations aimed at ending the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza.

Hamas has reportedly taken steps to fend off possible Israeli military plans aimed at rescuing the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza.

President Trump’s special envoy said that “we will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home,” though it was not clear that negotiations had halted.

Both Israel and Hamas are facing pressure at home and abroad to reach a deal following almost two years of war, with the humanitarian situation inside Gaza deteriorating.

In May, Trump secured the release of Edan Alexander, the last US Israeli citizen held hostage after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and started the latest war. Alexander, who grew up in Tenafly, NJ, had been serving in the Israeli military when he was captured.

Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres declared that those who will not condemn Hamas over the heinous actions perpetrated on Oct. 7, 2023 "have no business" describing themselves as humanitarians.

After Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks on Israel & the start of the war in Gaza, confrontations between Israel & Iran escalated from proxy battles to all-out war. These documentaries offer context & background.

The foreign minister added that several European countries today have "a huge Muslim population" that affects government policies, but this wouldn't allow Israel to "commit suicide. " Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Tuesday said that "more than one European foreign minister" has told him that signing the letter condemning Israel's war in Gaza was a mistake,