Washington, D.C( The COW News Digital )U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a significant development in efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Speaking to reporters ahead of the NATO Summit in the Netherlands, President Trump claimed that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is now within reach.
“I believe we’re witnessing major progress in Gaza,” said President Trump. “Very good news is on the horizon—news we’ve all been waiting for.” He credited his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, for leading the backchannel negotiations and added that the ceasefire is “very close.”
Trump’s remarks come just one day after a ceasefire was brokered between Israel and Iran following 12 days of direct hostilities, reportedly mediated by Qatar with strong U.S. involvement. The successful de-escalation between Iran and Israel is now fueling optimism for peace in Gaza.
Hamas has also confirmed that ceasefire negotiations have accelerated, raising hopes for an imminent agreement that could bring an end to nearly two years of bloodshed.
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The Gaza conflict reignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a large-scale assault on Israel, killing nearly 1,500 civilians and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a relentless military campaign that has continued for over 20 months, resulting in the deaths of more than 60,000 Palestinians and leaving over 125,000 injured, according to international observers.
The war has also seen significant losses on the Hamas side, including much of its leadership. Senior figures were reportedly targeted in airstrikes, including a high-profile assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.
Israel’s military campaign extended beyond Gaza to the West Bank, where operations against Hamas and other resistance groups remain ongoing. Israeli forces also struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, leading to the deaths of several senior commanders. In recent months, Israeli operations have widened further to include targets in Syria and Yemen believed to be supporting Hamas.
Despite multiple international attempts to broker a ceasefire over the past year, none have succeeded—until now. Trump’s announcement and Hamas’ confirmation have injected new momentum into the peace process, though analysts caution that several critical issues remain unresolved.
If successful, the Gaza ceasefire could mark a major diplomatic achievement and offer a glimmer of hope for a region long engulfed in violence.
