Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump on Sunday called for renewed efforts toward a ceasefire in the ongoing 20-month war between Israel and Hamas, even as Israeli forces continued airstrikes and issued new evacuation orders for parts of northern Gaza.
“MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social early Sunday, after suggesting on Friday that an agreement could be reached within a week.
An Israeli official said Ron Dermer, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to travel to Washington this week for ceasefire discussions. Plans are also underway for Netanyahu to visit the U.S. in the coming weeks, signaling possible movement toward a deal.
Netanyahu convened his security Cabinet Sunday evening to discuss the latest developments, though no official details were released.
An eight-week ceasefire was negotiated earlier this year during Trump’s return to office, but the fighting resumed in March after Hamas reportedly rejected new terms from Israel.
Netanyahu, during a visit to Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency, said the conflict presents two key opportunities: “First of all, to rescue the hostages. Of course, we will also have to solve the Gaza issue, to defeat Hamas, but I estimate that we will achieve both tasks.”
The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting around 250 others.
The news also came as the Jerusalem District Court on Sunday agreed to postpone Netanyahu’s corruption trial, just hours after Trump publicly urged Israeli authorities to drop the charges and implied that future American aid could be influenced by the outcome.
The court announced that Netanyahu would not be required to testify for at least the next two weeks, citing diplomatic and national security concerns. The decision came two days after a judge had rejected earlier requests from Netanyahu’s legal team for a delay.
The prime minister is facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases involving allegations of political favors, media influence and luxury gifts. He has denied wrongdoing and claims the proceedings are politically motivated.