Latest news with #Iran-backed
India Today
3 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
I think it's close: Trump expresses hope for Gaza ceasefire within a week
US President Donald Trump on Friday expressed hope that a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas militants could be reached soon, possibly within the coming week. Speaking from the Oval Office during an event celebrating a Congo-Rwanda accord, Trump said he had been in contact with individuals involved in efforts to end the ongoing conflict."I think it's close. I just spoke to some of the people involved," Trump told reporters. "We think within the next week we're going to get a ceasefire."advertisementHe did not specify who he had spoken with, but during the recent Israel-Iran hostilities, Trump said he maintained near-daily contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The renewed push for a Gaza ceasefire comes after months of stalled diplomacy, following the collapse of a previous truce brokered at the end of former President Joe Biden's term, with backing from Trump's incoming the aftermath, Israel ramped up its military campaign and enforced a blockade that choked off aid to Gaza for more than two months, triggering fears of the recent US-mediated ceasefire that ended 12 days of fighting between Israel and Iran, marked by American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, has injected fresh urgency into peace according to a source quoted by Newsweek, is pushing not just for a temporary halt in hostilities, but for a permanent agreement between Israel and Hamas. Such a deal, he hopes, could pave the way for renewed Israeli-Palestinian peace Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is expected to visit Washington next week for high-level talks on Gaza, Iran, and a potential White House visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu, speaking Thursday, suggested the outcome of Israel's confrontation with Iran could create new diplomatic opportunities.'This victory presents an opportunity for a dramatic widening of peace agreements. We are working on this with enthusiasm,' he conflict in Gaza was reignited after Hamas-led militants launched a deadly assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli response, Israel launched a massive military operation in Gaza, which the local health ministry says has killed over 56,000 Palestinians. The offensive has displaced nearly the entire population, caused widespread hunger, and led to accusations of war crimes and genocide—charges Israel strongly Hamas has indicated a willingness to release remaining hostages as part of a deal to end the war, Israel insists the conflict can only conclude with the disarmament and dismantling of Hamas—terms Hamas has so far to end the violence have gained momentum following a short but intense 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which concluded with a U.S.- and Israeli-backed ceasefire earlier this week. That confrontation also included the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, heightening international urgency around peace talks.- EndsWith inputs from ReutersTune InMust Watch
West Australian
3 hours ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Donald Trump news: US President predicts Gaza ceasefire ‘within a week', talks with Israel and Hamas intensify
US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas militants could be achieved within the next week. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said a deal between Israel and Hamas may be imminent. He added that he had recently spoken with individuals involved in the ongoing negotiations to halt hostilities in the region. Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in Gaza under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms. The war in Gaza was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's post-October 7 military assault has killed over 56,000 Palestinians. The assault has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced Gaza's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations. Interest in resolving the Gaza conflict has picked up steam in the wake of the US and Israeli bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities. A ceasefire to the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict went into effect early this week. 'I think it's close. I just spoke to some of the people involved,' Mr Trump said. 'We think within the next week we're going to get a ceasefire.' He did not say who he has been talking to, but he has told reporters he was in near-daily contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Israel-Iran conflict. Mr Trump's surprise prediction of a possible ceasefire deal in coming days came at a time when there have been few signs that the warring parties were ready to restart serious negotiations or budge from entrenched positions. A spokesperson for US special envoy Steve Witkoff's office said they had no information to share beyond Mr Trump's comments. Witkoff helped former President Joe Biden's aides broker a ceasefire and hostage release agreement shortly before Mr Trump took office in January but the deal soon unravelled. The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer plans to visit Washington starting on Monday for talks with Trump administration officials about Gaza, Iran and a possible White House visit by Netanyahu, according to a source familiar with the matter. Netanyahu said on Thursday the outcome of Israel's war with Iran presented opportunities for peace that his country must not waste. - with Reuters
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Trump predicts Gaza ceasefire ‘within the next week'
US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas militants could be achieved within the next week. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said a deal between Israel and Hamas may be imminent. He added that he had recently spoken with individuals involved in the ongoing negotiations to halt hostilities in the region. Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in Gaza under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms. The war in Gaza was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's post-October 7 military assault has killed over 56,000 Palestinians. The assault has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced Gaza's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations. Interest in resolving the Gaza conflict has picked up steam in the wake of the US and Israeli bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities. A ceasefire to the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict went into effect early this week. 'I think it's close. I just spoke to some of the people involved,' Mr Trump said. 'We think within the next week we're going to get a ceasefire.' He did not say who he has been talking to, but he has told reporters he was in near-daily contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Israel-Iran conflict. Mr Trump's surprise prediction of a possible ceasefire deal in coming days came at a time when there have been few signs that the warring parties were ready to restart serious negotiations or budge from entrenched positions. A spokesperson for US special envoy Steve Witkoff's office said they had no information to share beyond Mr Trump's comments. Witkoff helped former President Joe Biden's aides broker a ceasefire and hostage release agreement shortly before Mr Trump took office in January but the deal soon unravelled. The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer plans to visit Washington starting on Monday for talks with Trump administration officials about Gaza, Iran and a possible White House visit by Netanyahu, according to a source familiar with the matter. Netanyahu said on Thursday the outcome of Israel's war with Iran presented opportunities for peace that his country must not waste. - with Reuters
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Trump predicts Gaza ceasefire within a week amid talks
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Friday he believes it is possible that a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas militants will be reached within a week. Trump, at an Oval Office event celebrating a Congo-Rwanda accord, told reporters that he believes a ceasefire is close. He said he had been just been talking to some of the people involved in trying to reach a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian enclave. Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in Gaza under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms. The war in Gaza was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's post-Oct.7 military assault has killed over 56,000 Palestinians. The assault has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced Gaza's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations. Interest in resolving the Gaza conflict has picked up steam in the wake of the U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities. A ceasefire to the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict went into effect early this week. "I think it's close. I just spoke to some of the people involved," Trump said. "We think within the next week we're going to get a ceasefire." He did not say who he has been talking to, but he has told reporters he was in near-daily contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Israel-Iran conflict. Trump's surprise prediction of a possible ceasefire deal in coming days came at a time when there have been few signs that the warring parties were ready to restart serious negotiations or budge from entrenched positions. A spokesperson for U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff's office said they had no information to share beyond Trump's comments. Witkoff helped former President Joe Biden's aides broker a ceasefire and hostage release agreement shortly before Trump took office in January but the deal soon unravelled. The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer plans to visit Washington starting on Monday for talks with Trump administration officials about Gaza, Iran and a possible White House visit by Netanyahu, according to a source familiar with the matter. Netanyahu said on Thursday the outcome of Israel's war with Iran presented opportunities for peace that his country must not waste. "This victory presents an opportunity for a dramatic widening of peace agreements. We are working on this with enthusiasm," Netanyahu said in a statement.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Trump says Gaza ceasefire is possible within a week
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Friday he believes it is possible that a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas militants will be reached within a week. Trump, at an Oval Office event celebrating a Congo-Rwanda accord, told reporters that he believes a ceasefire is close. He said he had been just been talking to some of the people involved in trying to reach a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian enclave. Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in Gaza under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms. The war in Gaza was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's post-Oct.7 military assault has killed over 56,000 Palestinians. The assault has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced Gaza's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations. Interest in resolving the Gaza conflict has picked up steam in the wake of the U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities. A ceasefire to the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict went into effect early this week. "I think it's close. I just spoke to some of the people involved," Trump said. "We think within the next week we're going to get a ceasefire." He did not say who he has been talking to, but he has told reporters he was in near-daily contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Israel-Iran conflict. Trump's surprise prediction of a possible ceasefire deal in coming days came at a time when there have been few signs that the warring parties were ready to restart serious negotiations or budge from entrenched positions. A spokesperson for U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff's office said they had no information to share beyond Trump's comments. Witkoff helped former President Joe Biden's aides broker a ceasefire and hostage release agreement shortly before Trump took office in January but the deal soon unravelled. The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer plans to visit Washington starting on Monday for talks with Trump administration officials about Gaza, Iran and a possible White House visit by Netanyahu, according to a source familiar with the matter. Netanyahu said on Thursday the outcome of Israel's war with Iran presented opportunities for peace that his country must not waste. "This victory presents an opportunity for a dramatic widening of peace agreements. We are working on this with enthusiasm," Netanyahu said in a statement.
