“Intense” negotiations are underway among key regional players aimed at securing a ceasefire-for-hostages deal to end the Israel-Hamas war, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed early on Saturday.
“I am pleased to report that we are having very inspired and productive discussions with the Middle Eastern community concerning Gaza,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social site. “Intense negotiations have been going on for four days, and will continue for as long as necessary in order to get a successfully completed agreement.”
Trump said all regional countries were taking part in the talks, with Hamas fully aware of the discussions and Israel kept informed at every level.
“There is more goodwill and enthusiasm for getting a deal done, after so many decades, than I have ever seen before,” he continued. “Everyone is excited to put this period of death and darkness behind them. It is an honor to be a part of this negotiation. We must get the hostages back, and get a permanent and long-lasting peace!”
On Friday, Trump told reporters outside the White House: “I think we have, maybe, a deal on Gaza—very close to a deal on Gaza. It’s looking like we have a deal on Gaza. We’ll let you know.
“I think it’s a deal that will get the hostages back. It’s going to be a deal that ends the war. It’s going to be peace,” he continued. “I think we have a deal.”
Trump unveiled a peace plan for Gaza and the Middle East to leaders of several Muslim-majority countries during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
“We had a very productive session. We presented what we call the Trump 21-point plan for peace in the Mideast and Gaza. I think it addresses Israeli concerns and, as well, the concerns of all the neighbors in the region,” Reuters quoted U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff as saying at the 15th annual Concordia global affairs summit in New York on Wednesday.
“We’re hopeful, and I might say, even confident that in the coming days, we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough,” Witkoff said.
Trump is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu at the White House on Monday.
