Trump Claims Gaza Ceasefire Deal ‘Very Close’

News Desk 

Islamabad: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a ceasefire agreement in Gaza could be reached soon, attributing the progress to recent US military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which he believes have bolstered American diplomatic leverage in the region.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at a summit in The Hague, Trump told reporters that the long-stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas may finally be gaining traction.

“I think great progress is being made on Gaza,” he said. “Because of the attack that we made [on Iran], I think we’re going to have some very good news.”

Trump claimed the US strikes sent a strong signal of American power that has helped revive ceasefire talks. “Even before this, we were very close to making a deal on Gaza,” he added.

He also praised Steve Witkoff, a real estate investor and reportedly the current US special envoy to the Middle East, for providing critical insights into the negotiations. “I was talking to Steve Witkoff, who, by the way, is terrific and knows more about this subject than anybody… He did tell me that [a ceasefire deal in] Gaza is very close.”

Qatar Confirms Diplomatic Momentum

Trump’s remarks were reinforced by officials in Qatar, who confirmed that efforts to restart ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel are once again underway.

Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told CNN that the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel had created a window for renewed diplomacy in Gaza.

“We’ve used the momentum from the Iran-Israel ceasefire to re-engage with all sides,” Al Ansari said. “This is the time now for President Trump to push for it and we believe he is sincere about it… We are willing to help.”

Al Ansari noted that while a final deal has not yet been reached, talks are continuing based on a previously established framework. “We’re not out of the woods yet. There are many details I can’t go into, but the parameters remain the same,” he said.

Tensions with Iran Complicate Diplomacy

Despite the diplomatic push, tensions remain high following Iran’s retaliatory missile launch targeting a U.S. base in Qatar over the weekend. The strike caused no injuries or damage but raised concerns about Tehran’s intentions.

Al Ansari denied any coordination with Iran over the attack, describing it as a surprise. “This was unprecedented,” he said. “We did not expect the Iranians to act at a time when we are helping them with many regional issues… It’s a scar on our relationship, but we are willing to move forward.”

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, more than 55,000 Palestinians — including over 17,000 children — have been killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The war began after Hamas launched a deadly attack that killed more than 1,200 Israelis, prompting Israel to launch a massive military operation in Gaza.

Efforts to secure a ceasefire have repeatedly faltered, but recent regional developments appear to have injected new urgency into diplomatic channels. Whether this round of talks will succeed remains to be seen.