President Donald Trump said negotiators are “very close†to a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, even as a senior Israeli official was less optimistic, indicating a temporary truce could be agreed upon in a week or two.
“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.â€
The president was responding to a question about an Axios report that U.S., Israeli and Qatari officials held a secret meeting at the White House to try to resolve lingering disagreements. The meeting reportedly took place during a visit to Washington by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has met with Trump this week.
“I don’t know if itÃÛèÖÊÓƵ secret or not secret, but it doesn’t matter to me,†Trump said. “SecretÃÛèÖÊÓƵ fine if it gets us to where we want to be.â€
The Israeli official, who was granted anonymity to speak about the progress of the negotiations, reiterated on Wednesday the longstanding position that for a permanent ceasefire, Hamas must lay down its weapons, which the group has so far refused to do.
Israel is also sticking by its demand that Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union, be gone from Gaza entirely. Israeli soldiers will need to have access to the entire territory to make sure the group is gone before turning over control, the official said.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has said the U.S. wants an agreement by the end of the week that will impose a 60-day ceasefire and bring the release of living and dead hostages who were captured when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
On its Telegram channel, Hamas said it had agreed to release 10 Israeli hostages amid the ongoing talks. Even so, a deal is no sure thing. Previous ceasefire talks gained momentum only to fizzle at the last minute.
“President Trump wants a deal, but not at any price,†Netanyahu told reporters Wednesday. “I want a deal but not at any price.â€
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 U.S. defense officials following IsraelÃÛèÖÊÓƵ military campaign against Iran and the U.S. 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 U.S. Netanyahu said the allies’ military operations against Iranian targets had resonated around the region and would have “historic consequences for peace.â€
Both Hegseth and Netanyahu credited the leadership of Army General Erik Kurilla, the outgoing head of U.S. Central Command. Hegseth highlighted the work of the U.S. pilots involved in the strikes as well as the U.S. soldiers who operated the air defenses helping protect Israel.
“The roar of two lions was heard around the world,†Netanyahu said.
(With assistance from Cam Kettles and Margaret Collins.)
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