President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, stating he believes an agreement could be achieved within a week.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Trump made the unexpected announcement after discussing the situation with unspecified parties involved in ceasefire efforts.
“I think it’s close. I just spoke to some of the people involved,” Trump said. “We think within the next week we’re going to get a ceasefire,” he added, without identifying his contacts.
Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman, noted that while Trump’s comments would be “welcome news” to Gaza’s population, she cautioned that “no negotiations at this moment happening anywhere in the region” are currently taking place.
Odeh explained that ceasefire discussions have increased significantly following the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. However, she noted Israel’s reluctance to discuss ending the war, with Netanyahu potentially facing considerable political risks from such negotiations.
According to multiple reports, Netanyahu might need to agree to some ceasefire arrangement in exchange for Arab state normalization deals that the Trump administration supports.
Hamas maintains its position requiring Israel to end its military operations in Gaza and withdraw from territories seized after breaking the previous ceasefire in March. The group also seeks U.S. guarantees for continued negotiations and assurances against future ceasefire violations if additional negotiation time is needed.
Trump’s prediction comes amid escalating casualties from Israeli operations in Gaza and increasing international criticism of the conflict. Recent reports by Haaretz revealed allegations that Israeli soldiers received orders to shoot unarmed Palestinian civilians seeking humanitarian aid.
Gaza authorities described the Haaretz report as additional evidence of “war crimes” in the territory. While Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have rejected claims of deliberately targeting civilians, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports nearly 550 Palestinian deaths near U.S. and Israeli-supported aid distribution points since late May.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the situation Friday, stating, “People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families. The search for food must never be a death sentence.”
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders characterized the Gaza situation as “slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid.”
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff’s office declined to provide information about potential ceasefire developments. Witkoff previously assisted former President Biden’s team in brokering a ceasefire and prisoner release agreement before Trump’s January inauguration. However, Israel broke that truce in March with surprise bombing campaigns across Gaza.
Israeli officials have maintained that only military action will secure the return of captives held in Gaza. They have imposed restrictions on food, water, medicine, and fuel entering the territory, leading to widespread hunger among Gaza’s 2.1 million residents.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is scheduled to visit Washington next week for discussions with Trump administration officials regarding Gaza, Iran, and a potential Netanyahu White House visit, according to a source familiar with the plans.
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