U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Hamas is showing readiness to agree to a ceasefire with Israel. The comments came during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where the two leaders discussed a proposed 60-day truce to pause the 21-month-long conflict.
“They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire,” Trump said, according to AFP, when asked about recent Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Gaza Death Toll Continues to Climb
While diplomatic discussions unfold, the fighting continues. Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that Israeli forces killed at least 12 people in a recent strike, including six sheltering in a clinic for displaced civilians.
The war began in October 2023, following a Hamas-led assault in southern Israel that left 1,200 people dead and many others taken hostage. In response, Israeli air and ground operations have resulted in widespread casualties in Gaza. Palestinian sources claim that over 41,500 people have died, and nearly 2.3 million have been displaced.
Regional Cooperation and Rebuilding Plans
Trump also addressed plans for post-war reconstruction. Speaking to reporters, he indicated that several countries neighboring Israel had shown willingness to assist in relocating displaced Palestinians. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump’s administration is drafting a rebuilding plan for Gaza once hostilities end.
Families of hostages held in Gaza have added pressure to the negotiations, demanding that any ceasefire agreement include the release of those still in captivity.
Netanyahu’s Nobel Nomination for Trump
As the two leaders met at the White House, Netanyahu formally nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. He handed Trump a letter addressed to the prize committee, citing his efforts to mediate in the region.
“He’s forging peace as we speak, and one country and one region after the other,” Netanyahu said.
Their meeting comes shortly after a U.S.-Israel joint strike on Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day flare-up with Tehran. That conflict ended with a truce announced by Trump, just days before his latest comments on the Israel-Hamas situation.
Outlook on the Ceasefire
While Trump and Netanyahu showed guarded hope for the ceasefire deal, there’s still uncertainty around whether Hamas and Israeli leaders can come to terms—especially on hostages.
For now, the region continues to wait as diplomatic channels reopen.
