Gaza War: Trump to possible Gaza deal: maybe next week

The United States has recently expressed its hope for a ceasefire in the Gaza war until the end of the week-President Donald Trump is now bringing the next week into play. When asked by a journalist, how realistic he thinks a ceasefire between Islamist Hamas and Israel, the Republican said: “I think we have a chance this week – or next week.”

There is nothing definitive. Trump added: “But the chance is very high that we will reach an agreement – an agreement of any kind in this and if not, maybe next week.”

Trump had spoken to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the US capital Washington several times in the past few days.

Report: progress in conversations

When asked about a report on the US news page “Axios”, according to which there were progress in discussions between high-ranking representatives of the USA, Israel and Qatar in the White House on Tuesday with a view to a deal, Trump also said: “We want to have a ceasefire, we want to get peace, we want to get the hostages back. And I think we are close to reaching it.”

According to “Axios”, the meeting was about the partial withdrawal of the Israeli armed forces during a ceasefire that ensures discrepancies. As a result of the meeting, Israel later presented a new card that provides for a further withdrawal of its armed forces than previously presented. As a result, significant progress in the talks has been achieved and the chance of a deal has been increased, reports the news site, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The deal, which is currently on the table, therefore comprises the release of 18 living hostages from the Gaza Strip and the remains of ten hostages during a 60-day ceasefire.

So far there had been officially available from Trump’s special representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, from Tuesday (local time): “We hope that we will have an agreement by the end of the week that will bring a 60-day ceasefire.” Accordingly, ten living hostages could be released and the corpses of nine hostages could be handed over.