New Delhi, July 28 -- US President Donald Trump said he is in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over "various plans" to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza, as negotiations with Hamas appear to have stalled.

Trump said the Hamas militant group had become "more difficult to deal with" in recent days, accusing it of hardening its stance and obstructing progress in hostage talks.

Speaking a day earlier, Trump suggested that Israel would soon have to make a critical decision on how to proceed in Gaza amid mounting frustration over the stalled talks.

"Israel has to make a decision," he said. "They're trying, but Hamas keeps hardening their position."

"Hamas really didn't want to make a deal," Trump sa...