This came during a brief press conference held by Trump with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the alliance's summit in The Hague, Netherlands.
Trump stated that he believes that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites "may contribute to progress in the war in Gaza, and that an agreement is very close."
He added, "I think there is a lot of progress being made on Gaza, and thanks to the attack we carried out (on Iran early Sunday), I think we will get some very good news." He considered that the American attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities "showed great strength, which helps a little in reaching an agreement (on Gaza)."
Trump claimed that even before Washington launched its attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, a deal on Gaza was "very close," according to information provided to him by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
"The occupation continues to procrastinate"
For its part, Hamas confirmed on Wednesday that contacts between mediators and the movement have intensified regarding reaching an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip and exchange prisoners, noting that Israel continues to "stall the boat."
Hamas leader Taher al-Nunu told Agence France-Presse, "Our contacts with our mediating brothers in Egypt and Qatar have not stopped and have intensified in recent hours." He stressed that "Hamas welcomes any sincere efforts to stop the war and reach an agreement."
Al-Nunu explained that "the occupation continues to stall," adding that the movement wants an agreement "based on a comprehensive deal that achieves a permanent ceasefire, a complete Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the entry of aid, and a prisoner exchange deal."
He stressed that the movement is "serious about reaching an agreement to end the war and exchange prisoners," and that it has shown "sufficient flexibility" to achieve this, but that it has "not received any new proposal regarding a ceasefire yet."
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and displacement, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
The genocide left approximately 188,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, and famine claimed the lives of many, including children, as well as widespread destruction.
With the mediation of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, a multi-stage agreement between Hamas and Israel went into effect on January 19, 2020, ending the war in Gaza.
However, the first phase of the agreement ended in early March, and subsequent phases were not completed. This occurred after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, reneged on the second phase in deference to extremists in his ruling coalition, according to Hebrew media. Meanwhile, Hamas adhered to the terms of the first phase.
