Surprise expressed over US president’s claim as death toll in Gaza rises and Israeli forces accused of additional ‘war crimes’ for targeting civilians seeking food aid.
US President Donald Trump expressed his belief that a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas could be reached within a week. He made this statement while speaking to reporters on Friday, saying he felt hopeful after speaking with individuals involved in peace negotiations.
Trump mentioned, “I think it’s close. I just spoke to some of the people involved.” He further stated, “We think within the next week we’re going to get a ceasefire,” without revealing who he had been in contact with.
According to Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman in Jordan, Trump’s comment would be considered welcome news for the suffering and bombed population of Gaza. However, she also pointed out that there are currently no negotiations taking place regarding a ceasefire in the region.
Odeh explained, “What we do know is that talk of a ceasefire increased exponentially after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Israel does not want to talk about ending the war. In fact, the Israeli prime minister would be risking a lot if he did.”
Additionally, Odeh mentioned there is a belief that Netanyahu would have to agree to some sort of ceasefire in exchange for normalization deals with Arab states, which the Trump administration has promoted. Hamas, on the other hand, insists that Israel ends its war on Gaza and that the Israeli military withdraws from areas it captured after breaking the last ceasefire in March.
“Hamas also wants US guarantees that negotiations would continue and that Israel wouldn’t break the ceasefire again if more time was needed for negotiations,” Odeh added.
Trump’s ceasefire prediction comes at a time when Israeli forces are reportedly responsible for increasing numbers of killings in Gaza, leading to growing international condemnation of Israel’s war. The latest revelation is that Israeli soldiers were ordered to shoot unarmed Palestinian civilians seeking humanitarian aid in the territory.
Gaza authorities stated that this report, confirmed by the Haaretz media outlet, serves as further evidence of Israel’s “war crimes” in the war-torn territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have rejected the report, while Gaza’s Health Ministry claims that almost 550 Palestinians have been killed near US- and Israel-backed aid distribution points in Gaza since late May.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern on Friday, stating, “People are being killed simply for trying to feed themselves and their families. The search for food must never be a death sentence.”
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (also known by its French acronym MSF) described the situation in Gaza as “slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid”.
A spokesperson for the office of Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated they have no information to share about a possible ceasefire breakthrough in Gaza.
Witkoff previously helped facilitate a ceasefire and captive release agreement in Gaza before Trump took office in January. However, the truce was broken by Israel in March when they launched surprise bombing attacks across the territory.
Israeli officials claimed that only military action would lead to the release of captives held in Gaza and implemented a blockade on food, water, medicine, and fuel entering the territory, resulting in widespread starvation among the 2.1 million population.
Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is scheduled to visit Washington next week for discussions with Trump administration officials on Gaza, Iran, and a possible White House visit by Netanyahu, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Trump mentioned, “I think it’s close. I just spoke to some of the people involved.” He further stated, “We think within the next week we’re going to get a ceasefire,” without revealing who he had been in contact with.
According to Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman in Jordan, Trump’s comment would be considered welcome news for the suffering and bombed population of Gaza. However, she also pointed out that there are currently no negotiations taking place regarding a ceasefire in the region.
Odeh explained, “What we do know is that talk of a ceasefire increased exponentially after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Israel does not want to talk about ending the war. In fact, the Israeli prime minister would be risking a lot if he did.”
Additionally, Odeh mentioned there is a belief that Netanyahu would have to agree to some sort of ceasefire in exchange for normalization deals with Arab states, which the Trump administration has promoted. Hamas, on the other hand, insists that Israel ends its war on Gaza and that the Israeli military withdraws from areas it captured after breaking the last ceasefire in March.
“Hamas also wants US guarantees that negotiations would continue and that Israel wouldn’t break the ceasefire again if more time was needed for negotiations,” Odeh added.
Trump’s ceasefire prediction comes at a time when Israeli forces are reportedly responsible for increasing numbers of killings in Gaza, leading to growing international condemnation of Israel’s war. The latest revelation is that Israeli soldiers were ordered to shoot unarmed Palestinian civilians seeking humanitarian aid in the territory.
Gaza authorities stated that this report, confirmed by the Haaretz media outlet, serves as further evidence of Israel’s “war crimes” in the war-torn territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have rejected the report, while Gaza’s Health Ministry claims that almost 550 Palestinians have been killed near US- and Israel-backed aid distribution points in Gaza since late May.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern on Friday, stating, “People are being killed simply for trying to feed themselves and their families. The search for food must never be a death sentence.”
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (also known by its French acronym MSF) described the situation in Gaza as “slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid”.
A spokesperson for the office of Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated they have no information to share about a possible ceasefire breakthrough in Gaza.
Witkoff previously helped facilitate a ceasefire and captive release agreement in Gaza before Trump took office in January. However, the truce was broken by Israel in March when they launched surprise bombing attacks across the territory.
Israeli officials claimed that only military action would lead to the release of captives held in Gaza and implemented a blockade on food, water, medicine, and fuel entering the territory, resulting in widespread starvation among the 2.1 million population.
Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is scheduled to visit Washington next week for discussions with Trump administration officials on Gaza, Iran, and a possible White House visit by Netanyahu, according to sources familiar with the matter.
