US President Donald Trump said on Monday (April 7) that he wanted the Gaza war to end and express optimism that this could happen in the near future. Trump, organized by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah in the White House, said, “I would like to see a stop of war and I think the war will stop at some point that it will not be too distant.”
His comments come as global pressure handles to end the deadly conflict that began after 7 October 2023, an attack led by Hamas on southern Israel.
Gaza conflict
The war broke out after Hamas militants started a surprising attack, killed around 1200 people, and, according to Israeli data, took 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched an extensive military campaign in Gaza. The Palestinian health authorities now estimate that more than 50,000 people have been killed in the territory since the beginning of the war.
This is a hostage negotiation continues
Trump acknowledged the ongoing effort to liberate the hostage that Hamas still holds: “The work is going on… It’s a long process,” he said.
Netanyahu noted that there were discussions on a new agreement after the previous ceasefire, which ensured the release of some prisoners.
“We are determined to get all the hostages out,” Netanyahu said. “But also eliminate the evil tyranny of Hamas in Gaza and allow people from Gaza free to decide to go anywhere.”
He credited Trump’s regional envoy Steve Witkoff, saying that during the ceasefire in January he helped ensure an earlier edition of 25 hostages.
The collapse of the ceasefire and the victims
The recent six -week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended on 18 March by Israeli renewal of air strikes. During this ceasefire, 33 Israeli hostages were returned – eight of them were confirmed by the dead – while 1,800 Palestinians were released from Israeli prisons. According to Israeli military sources, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with 34 believed he died.
Trump repeats Gaza’s “Peace Force”
Trump repeated the controversial idea that the United States should take control of Gaza after the conflict.
“Peace Force, such as the United States, which controls and owns the Gaza belt would be a good thing,” he said.
He also suggested that the Palestinians from Gaza could be moved to other countries – critics of the idea described as ethnic cleaning and which was convicted of mostly the international community.
Netanyahu confirmed that he and Trump had discussed the proposal and referred to it as part of Trump’s “courageous vision” for the future of Gaza.
(Tagstotranslate) Donald Trump
