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Tuesday, July 15, 2025

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Trump Predicts Gaza Ceasefire ‘Within a Week’ Amid Mounting Civilian Deaths and Global Outcry

US President Donald Trump has said a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in war-torn Gaza could be reached “within the next week,” sparking surprise and cautious optimism globally, though no formal negotiations are currently underway.

“I just spoke to some of the people involved. We think within the next week we’re going to get a ceasefire,” Trump told reporters on Friday, offering no further details or names.

Trump’s comments come at a time of deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and amid new allegations of war crimes against Israeli forces for targeting unarmed Palestinians seeking food.


Contradictory Ground Realities

While Trump struck an optimistic tone, Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman, challenged the claim, saying there were no known ceasefire talks in progress in the region.

“Israel is not discussing ending the war,” Odeh said. “If anything, Netanyahu faces political pressure to prolong the war, unless a ceasefire is tied to regional normalization agreements.”

She added that Hamas demands a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and US guarantees to prevent further Israeli violations, following Tel Aviv’s breach of the March truce.


Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Trump’s comments follow intensified international condemnation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, especially after an Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, published revelations from soldiers who said they were ordered to shoot unarmed Palestinians at food aid distribution sites.

  • According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, nearly 550 Palestinians have been killed near such aid points since late May.

  • UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the deaths:

“The search for food must never be a death sentence.”

  • Doctors Without Borders (MSF) described the situation as:

“Slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid.”

Despite mounting pressure, Israeli officials deny targeting civilians, asserting that only military pressure can secure the release of captives still held by Hamas.


Ceasefire, Normalization & Strategic Diplomacy

Analysts say a ceasefire may be linked to broader diplomatic deals, including normalization between Israel and Arab states, a long-time Trump administration objective.

Sources also confirmed that Ron Dermer, Israel’s Minister for Strategic Affairs, is scheduled to visit Washington next week to discuss Gaza, Iran, and a potential White House visit for PM Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff’s office declined to comment on any breakthrough. Witkoff previously facilitated a temporary truce under Biden’s administration in late 2024, which was shattered by Israeli airstrikes in March.


Global Pressure Mounting

The war has now killed over 627 civilians in Iran (from previous Israeli strikes) and thousands in Gaza. Aid agencies warn of catastrophic starvation affecting Gaza’s 2.1 million people, worsened by Israel’s blockade on food, medicine, and fuel.

While Trump’s prediction of a ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, experts and observers remain skeptical, noting that rhetoric without negotiations or guarantees may delay rather than resolve the conflict.

“There’s little clarity on what has changed diplomatically to justify Trump’s optimism,” Odeh said. “But for Gaza’s starving civilians, even the mention of a truce offers a shred of hope.”

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