Trump Says 'Very Good Chance' of Gaza Agreement This Week or Next

Hagar Chemali, founder of Greenwich Media Strategies, reacts to President Trump signaling a cease fire between Israel and Hamas could come as soon as this week and breaks down the potential roadblocks to a peace agreement.

President Donald Trump said negotiators are “very close” to a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, raising optimism for a long-elusive agreement as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the US.

“We want to have a ceasefire,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday. “We want to have peace. We want to get the hostages back. And I think we’re close to doing it.”

Trump was responding to a question about an Axios report that US, Israeli and Qatari officials had a secret meeting at the White House on Tuesday to try to resolve lingering disagreements around a possible deal.

“I don’t know if it’s secret or not secret, but it doesn’t matter to me,” Trump said. “Secret’s fine if it gets us to where we want to be.”

Trump has met Netanyahu twice during the Israeli leader’s visit to Washington. US envoy Steve Witkoff has said the US wants an agreement by the end of the week that will impose a 60-day ceasefire and bring the release of 10 living and nine dead hostages who were captured when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

A deal is no sure thing. Previous ceasefire talks gained momentum only to fizzle at the last minute. Previous ceasefires in 2023 and earlier this year also failed to bring about lasting peace.

“President Trump wants a deal, but not at any price,” Netanyahu told reporters Wednesday. “I want a deal but not at any price.”

Hamas’ attack on Israel killed 1,200 people and saw about 250 abducted. Of those, around 50 hostages are still in Gaza, with roughly 20 thought by Israel to be alive. Netanyahu has accepted the proposal put forward by Trump. Hamas last week said it had responded positively to the proposed deal and was ready to enter negotiations.

Earlier Wednesday, Netanyahu visited the Pentagon to meet with senior US defense officials following Israel’s military campaign against Iran and the US bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites.

Following a military honor cordon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offered praise for the operation and touted Israel as a “friend and model ally” to the US. Netanyahu said the allies’ military operations against Iranian targets had resonated around the region and would have “historic consequences for peace.”

Both Hegseth and Netanyahu credited the leadership of Army General Erik Kurilla, the outgoing head of US Central Command. Hegseth highlighted the work of the US pilots involved in the strikes as well as the US soldiers who operated the air defenses helping protect Israel.

“The roar of two lions was heard around the world,” Netanyahu said.

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