Donald Trump has expressed hope that the ongoing war in Gaza will come to an end “in the not-too-distant future.” Speaking at the White House on Monday while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said he would like the conflict to stop.
“I’d like to see the war stop, and I think the war will stop at some point,” Trump told reporters.
Hostage Release Still in Progress
Trump also addressed the hostage situation involving Hamas, noting that efforts are still ongoing to secure the release of those taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
“It’s a long process,” Trump said, referring to the challenge of getting all the hostages freed.
According to Israeli data, 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage in the Hamas-led attack. In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale offensive, which has since resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians, as per local health officials in Gaza.
Trump’s Promise on Gaza
When asked if he still intends to fulfill his campaign promise of ending the war in Gaza if re-elected, Trump remained hopeful but cautious.
“I think the war will stop at some point, that won’t be in the too-distant future,” he added, without providing specific plans or timelines.
Background of the Conflict
The Israel-Hamas war began after the surprise October attack by Hamas. Since then, the region has been engulfed in continuous violence, sparking global debates and urgent calls for ceasefire and humanitarian relief.
With tensions still high, Trump’s comments signal a desire for de-escalation, though it remains to be seen what influence, if any, he will wield on the matter moving forward.