U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be reached within the coming week.
“We are talking, and we hope to get this done during the next week,” Trump told reporters.
The United States is backing a proposed 60-day ceasefire, which includes the gradual release of hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of Gaza, and negotiations aimed at bringing a lasting end to the conflict. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, described the ceasefire talks as “hopeful.”
The conflict escalated after the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has resulted in over 57,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction across Gaza, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Two previous ceasefires have been brokered since the outbreak of the war—one in November 2023 and another in January 2025.
