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State Department emphasizes humanitarian access, pushes for ceasefire in Gaza and declines to speculate on annexation
Summary
Spokesperson Tammy Bruce reiterated the U.S. focus on stopping violence, restoring humanitarian supplies to Gaza and pushing for a ceasefire, and declined to speculate on Israeli annexation plans; she repeatedly attributed core responsibility for the crisis to Hamas.
Tammy Bruce, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, said the administration's "main goal is right humanitarian supplies, the nature of the violence stopping," and described the department's focus as working to implement and maintain ceasefires and getting lifesaving assistance into Gaza.
Asked whether the Trump administration supports annexation or permanent retention of Gaza territory, Bruce declined to speculate about future policy decisions or the president's thinking: "I will not speak to or guess about what the president is going to do, what he's thinking." She said the administration supports efforts to stop the fighting and alleviate civilian suffering.
Bruce repeatedly placed responsibility for the current hostilities on Hamas, saying that an earlier ceasefire "was... broken because of their lack of action on the parameters of the ceasefire itself," and that Hamas's actions "put Israel and the world and the Gazan people in this position." She said international efforts have produced elements of agreement but that the priority remains to end the "wholesale slaughter of people" and secure humanitarian access.
When asked about U.N. reporting that aid convoys had been halted for 20 consecutive days, Bruce said she would not speculate and suggested reporters seek details from the Israeli government. She said the department continues to press for unhindered movement of life‑saving humanitarian assistance and called the situation a global concern with urgent humanitarian implications.
Bruce also referenced hostage issues and the holding of bodies, saying these matters are part of what the international community has sought to resolve as part of any broader cessation of hostilities.
