Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government's key objectives in the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip: destroying the militant group and securing the return of all hostages held in Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said the Hamas militant group had become difficult to deal with in recent days, but he was talking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about "various plans" to free hostages still held in the enclave.

Izzat al-Rishq, a top Hamas official, said Trump's remarks "blatantly echo" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's "narrative and lies," in an Arabic statement released on Monday on Telegram. The Israeli leader previously dismissed claims that his government had been pursuing a policy of starvation in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday his government was considering “alternative options” to ceasefire talks with Hamas after Israel and the U.S. recalled their negotiating teams, throwing the future of the negotiations into further uncertainty.

The Israeli prime minister found a political window to step up humanitarian assistance but remains under intense pressure both abroad and at home.

US President Donald Trump said he’s working with Israeli PM Netanyahu on “various plans” to free hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. With talks stalled, both leaders are exploring “alternative options,

US President Donald Trump on Monday disagreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims that there was no starvation in Gaza.

President Donald Trump said "you have a lot of starving people", adding that he was not going to take a position on Palestinian statehood at the moment.