United States President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas within the coming week, even as international criticism mounts over the continued targeting of aid seekers in Gaza.
“I think it's close. I just spoke to some of the people involved,” Trump told reporters on Friday, hinting at a breakthrough in indirect negotiations currently underway in the region. “We believe that within the next week, we are going to see a ceasefire between the parties,” he added, though he refrained from providing further details.
Trump’s remarks have taken many regional actors by surprise, with diplomatic sources describing them as "unexpected but encouraging". It is believed that any agreement may hinge on a quid pro quo between Israel and Hamas—normalisation of relations in exchange for a cessation of hostilities and the release of captives.
Humanitarian toll mounts
The announcement came against the backdrop of alarming scenes from Gaza, where Israeli troops stand accused of firing on civilians gathered near aid distribution centres. According to local health officials and independent observers, more than 547 aid seekers have been killed and over 4,000 injured in the past four weeks near distribution points set up with US and Israeli assistance.
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On Friday, Haaretz, a prominent Israeli daily, reported that some military units had received instructions from commanders to use lethal force against civilians attempting to reach humanitarian supplies. The revelations prompted the Israeli government to announce an internal investigation.
UN: Aid centres now ‘death traps’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, echoing sentiments from other international agencies, condemned the situation. “These aid centres have become death traps for the desperate and hungry people of Gaza,” he said. Humanitarian access remains severely restricted, with convoys frequently targeted or turned back at checkpoints.
Despite the promise of an inquiry, human rights groups and international legal experts have noted that Israel has historically failed to prosecute its military personnel or political figures over civilian deaths in Gaza, raising questions over the credibility of the probe.
As the crisis deepens, pressure is mounting on both Israel and the United States to rein in military action and prioritise humanitarian access. Trump’s ceasefire announcement, if realised, may mark a turning point in a conflict that has exacted a severe toll on the civilian population of Gaza.
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