Journalism of Courage
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that negotiations to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of remaining hostages were making progress, adding that a deal could soon be finalised.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, “I think there’s a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East beyond just Gaza.” He added that the United States would help ensure security guarantees once an agreement is reached.
“We are going to do everything possible we have a lot of power and we’re going to do everything possible to make sure everybody adheres to the deal,” Trump said.
He made the comments while meeting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and said discussions on Gaza were part of their agenda.
US envoys travelling to Egypt for talks
A US official told Reuters that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his former Middle East adviser Jared Kushner were travelling to Egypt on Tuesday to join the talks.
According to Reuters, the negotiations in Egypt are being viewed as one of the most serious efforts yet to end the conflict, which began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Those attacks killed about 1,200 people, and around 200 hostages were taken into Gaza.
Qatar’s prime minister to join discussions
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will also join the discussions in Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday, officials told Reuters.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari told Al Jazeera that Sheikh Mohammed’s visit “confirms the mediators’ determination to reach an agreement that ends the war.”
He said the Qatari leader will meet with Witkoff and Kushner “with the aim of pushing forward the Gaza ceasefire plan and hostage release agreement.”
Gaza war enters third year
As the war enters its third year, Israeli airstrikes have continued across the Gaza Strip, according to Al Jazeera. The network reported that at least 104 people have been killed in Gaza since Friday, the day Trump called on Israel to halt its bombing campaign.
Health authorities in Gaza say at least 67,173 Palestinians have been killed and 169,780 wounded since the conflict began. Thousands more are believed to be trapped under rubble.
According to Israeli figures, 1,139 people were killed during the Hamas-led attacks in 2023.
