Gaza ceasefire deal ‘very close’, Trump may announce at any time
US President Donald Trump said that talks on a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip are in the final stages.
The US president told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday (May 30).
He said that mediators are ‘very close’ to reaching a ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Trump also said, ‘We will let you know later today or maybe tomorrow. There is a possibility of an agreement on this.
Hamas’ political bureau said that they are seriously considering the US ceasefire proposal. They also said that talks are underway with other resistance groups in Gaza.
The latest US ceasefire proposal in Gaza calls for the release of more than 1,200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of 28 Israeli hostages and a 60-day ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the Israeli massacre in Gaza continues despite ongoing talks on a ceasefire. The Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza said that 72 more Palestinians had been killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza in the previous 24 hours as of Friday evening.
Al Jazeera reported that Israeli forces carried out simultaneous attacks on Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Rafah and Gaza City in Gaza on Friday. Several people were killed in an attack targeting a house in Deir al-Balah. A child was killed and his mother was wounded in Israeli shelling in Khan Yunis. Many were killed in airstrikes targeting civilian vehicles in Gaza City, including members of the local security forces.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government has announced the construction of 5,000 new settlements in the West Bank. These settlements will be built in Jordan and other areas. Despite concerns from the United Nations and the European Union, the Netanyahu administration has not given any indication of stopping settlement expansion.
Meanwhile, Israeli protesters blocked trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Protesters held up banners reading “No food, just the return of hostages” near the Kerem Shalom crossing, further jeopardizing the ceasefire and the delivery of aid.
