Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social platform: " We had very constructive and inspiring talks with the countries of the Middle East regarding Gaza," adding that they were intensive and took place over four days. He said they would continue as long as necessary "to successfully reach a comprehensive agreement."
Trump noted that all Middle Eastern countries are participating in the talks, explaining that Hamas is aware of them, "as we have informed Israel at all levels," including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The US President concluded his post by saying, "It is a great honor to be part of these negotiations. We must recover the hostages and achieve a lasting and sustainable peace."
"American plan"
Earlier on Friday, Israel's official Kan channel reported that people close to US President Donald Trump informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington wants to reach an agreement to end the two-year-long war on Gaza.
The channel, affiliated with the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, quoted informed sources as saying that "Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met with Netanyahu in New York on Thursday and assured him that the time has come to end the war" on Gaza.
She explained that the meeting was held to discuss amendments requested by Israel to the US plan to stop the war, in preparation for a meeting between Netanyahu and Trump next Monday, after reaching an understanding on the plan.
According to the channel, Netanyahu and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer expressed their rejection of several provisions of the plan to the US delegation, while sources close to the prime minister stressed that "any agreement must include the complete elimination of Hamas."
In contrast, the channel quoted another Israeli official as saying that "the possibility of a return to fighting after a ceasefire agreement is reached is very low."
This comes as President Trump presented a 21-point plan to end the war on Gaza during a meeting with Arab and Islamic leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York.
According to Israel's private Channel 12, the plan includes provisions for the formation of a post-war administration for Gaza that excludes Hamas, the creation of a joint security force composed of Palestinians and soldiers from Arab and Islamic countries, and Arab and Islamic funding for the reconstruction of Gaza and the management of its affairs, with partial participation by the Palestinian Authority in its administration.
In the same context, Channel 12 reported that sources close to Netanyahu spoke of "a change in Trump's tone regarding the war in Gaza," indicating that he would ask Netanyahu for "a clear timetable for ending the war."
She added that estimates in Israel indicate that Trump will demand that Netanyahu move forward with the US plan to end the war.
Those close to Netanyahu confirmed the existence of full coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv, but at the same time noted a "change in Trump's patience" regarding the war on Gaza.
For its part, the private Israeli Channel 13 reported that senior officials in Tel Aviv believe the US administration's patience with the situation in Gaza is "beginning to run out," noting that the White House has been increasingly pressuring Israel in recent days to reach a deal with Hamas.
According to the channel, Israeli expectations are that Trump will take a firm stance toward ending the war in the Gaza Strip during his meeting with Netanyahu next Monday.
In contrast, Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad said in an interview with CNN on Friday that the movement is prepared to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the recent US proposal calling on Hamas to release all detainees, living and dead, in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners and an immediate ceasefire, Hamad said, "We insisted on adhering to the comprehensive deal, which calls for the return of all prisoners within 24 hours, but Israel refused."
Tel Aviv estimates that there are 48 Israeli detainees in Gaza, 20 of whom are still alive. Meanwhile, approximately 11,100 Palestinian prisoners are languishing in its prisons, suffering torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have been killed, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.
Hamas has repeatedly affirmed its readiness to reach a partial or comprehensive prisoner exchange deal, while Netanyahu continues his intransigence and aggression against the Gaza Strip, amid accusations from the opposition and the families of prisoners that he is continuing the war to preserve his political position.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 65,549 martyrs and 167,518 wounded, most of them children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 442 Palestinians, including 147 children
