US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be reached “within the next week,” though he offered no concrete details about discussions or agreements. His surprise remarks come amid escalating violence in Gaza and mounting international concern over the deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said he had spoken to “some of the people involved” and expressed optimism about an imminent truce. However, he did not name any individuals or outline a roadmap, leaving observers skeptical about the basis for his confidence.
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Al Jazeera’s correspondent reporting from Amman noted that no formal negotiations are currently underway in the region, despite Trump’s remarks being welcomed by Gazans desperate for relief. Reports suggest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may consider a ceasefire if it paves the way for normalization deals with Arab states—a long-standing goal of Trump’s administration.
Hamas, meanwhile, has made clear that any agreement must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from recently occupied areas and firm US guarantees to uphold future talks. The militant group also demanded that Israel halt its military campaign and respect the terms of any potential ceasefire.
The situation in Gaza remains dire. Local and international reports accuse Israeli forces of targeting civilians at aid distribution points, with nearly 550 Palestinians reportedly killed since late May. The UN and humanitarian groups have strongly condemned the violence, describing the conditions as catastrophic and in violation of international law.
