United States President Donald Trump said that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be possible “within the next week,” though he offered no details about who he had spoken to or what the basis for his optimism was. The comments, which caught many observers off guard, come amid escalating violence in Gaza and growing global outrage over the deepening humanitarian crisis. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said, “I think it’s close. I just spoke to some of the people involved,” adding, “We think within the next week we’re going to get a ceasefire.” 

However, the president did not disclose the identities of those he had spoken with, nor did he provide a roadmap or framework for such an agreement. Al Jazeera’s correspondent reporting from Amman, Jordan, described the US president’s remarks as “welcome news” for the besieged residents of Gaza. However, she noted that “no negotiations at this moment [are] happening anywhere in the region.” He also highlighted reports suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be open to a ceasefire if it helps secure normalisation agreements with Arab states—deals long pushed by the Trump administration. 

Hamas, however, has insisted that any ceasefire must be contingent upon a full Israeli withdrawal from territory seized during recent operations and firm US guarantees that future negotiations will be upheld. “They want Israel to stop its war on Gaza and ensure the military does not breach the ceasefire again,”he added. Trump’s prediction comes as Gaza reels under a relentless Israeli assault, with local authorities and international groups reporting severe violations of humanitarian norms.

The Gaza Health Ministry claims nearly 550 Palestinians have been killed near aid distribution points since late May. The killings have sparked outrage, with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemning the violence. “People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families,” he said, adding, “The search for food must never be a death sentence.” A recent investigation by Israeli newspaper Haaretz alleged that Israeli military commanders had issued direct orders to fire upon unarmed Palestinian civilians attempting to access humanitarian aid.

While Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have dismissed the report, the Gaza authorities labelled the actions “war crimes.” Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) described the ongoing crisis as “slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid,” in a statement released on Friday. Trump’s envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff—who had been involved in facilitating a brief ceasefire and captive release arrangement during the final days of the Biden administration—declined to comment on the latest development. His office stated it had “no information to share” regarding any imminent truce. 

The March ceasefire, which was brokered with international mediation, collapsed after Israeli forces launched a new wave of aerial bombardments, citing the need to pressure Hamas for the release of captives. Since then, Israel has enforced a total blockade on food, fuel, and medicine into Gaza, contributing to what aid organisations have termed a “manufactured famine.” While Trump’s statement has raised hopes among some in the international community, analysts remain sceptical in the absence of any concrete diplomatic initiative or indication of mutual willingness from both sides.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)