WASHINGTON (Kashmir English): U.S. President Donald Trump has said that a Gaza truce deal could be finalized “soon,” possibly within a week. His remarks come as indirect talks continue in Qatar, where negotiators are working to end the months-long conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Donald Trump said: “Gaza — we are talking, and hopefully we’re going to get that straightened out over the next week.”
The negotiations, which are being led by Qatar and Egypt, are focused on securing a 60-day ceasefire. The proposed deal also includes a phased release of Israeli hostages, some alive and others deceased, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Despite public objections by Israeli officials to what they called “unacceptable” amendments made by Hamas, an Israeli delegation was dispatched to Doha over the weekend to continue talks — a sign that both sides remain engaged in diplomacy.
Donald Trump praised the efforts of all parties involved and confirmed that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff would soon travel to Doha to assist in finalizing the agreement. “This could be a major step toward ending the violence and bringing peace to the region,” Donald Trump said.
Negotiators have reportedly made progress on several fronts, but one key obstacle remains: Israel’s insistence on maintaining control of a “buffer zone” around Gaza’s perimeter during the truce. Hamas has rejected this condition, viewing it as a de facto occupation.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have also announced their intention to maintain a military presence in Rafah — the southernmost city of Gaza — even if a ceasefire is enacted. Israel has further proposed establishing a “collection camp” in the area, aimed at processing and potentially deporting Palestinians to third countries, a plan that has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and international observers.
The US administration and Donald Trump have continued to back the Qatari-Egyptian mediation effort, with hopes that a temporary ceasefire could lay the groundwork for broader, long-term peace discussions. However, analysts remain cautious, pointing out that past efforts have repeatedly faltered at the last minute due to mistrust and competing political agendas on both sides.
The conflict, which reignited in October last year, has resulted in the deaths of over 52,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and displaced hundreds of thousands. The Israeli side has also suffered significant casualties, primarily during the early days of Hamas’ October 7 incursion.
