Trump: Israel and Hamas 'very close' to reaching a ceasefire and hostage release agreement

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Hamas and Israel are "very close" to reaching a ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza.

When asked about talks to reach an agreement on Gaza, Trump said, "I think we have a chance this week or next week." Trump added, during a lunch at the White House with African leaders, "Not definitely. There's nothing certain about the war or Gaza, but there's a very good chance."

While negotiations remain formally stalled, Israel has presented a revised plan for deploying its forces in Gaza aimed at resolving the key disputes over the Morag Corridor; Hamas has expressed its willingness to release the hostages in exchange for humanitarian aid and international guarantees.

Hamas addressed the ongoing negotiations with Israel—now in their fourth day—regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, noting that it had shown "flexibility" and agreed to release ten hostages as part of the agreement.

However, Hamas notes that other issues remain under negotiation, including the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, the withdrawal of IDF forces from the Strip, and genuine guarantees for a permanent ceasefire.

In its statement, Hamas stressed that, despite the challenges facing the talks, it continues to work "seriously and positively with the mediators to overcome the obstacles."

The movement said in a statement: "In the context of our keenness to ensure the success of the ongoing efforts, we have shown the necessary flexibility and agreed to release ten (living Israeli) prisoners."

She added that "there are essential points that remain under negotiation, most notably: the flow of aid, the withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip, and the provision of real guarantees for a permanent ceasefire."

She continued, "Despite the difficulty of negotiations on these issues so far due to the occupation's intransigence, we continue to work diligently and positively with mediators to overcome obstacles, end our people's suffering, and guarantee their aspirations for freedom, security, and a dignified life."

Hamas affirmed its continued "intensive and responsible efforts to ensure the success of the ongoing round of negotiations, in an effort to reach a comprehensive agreement that ends the aggression against our people, ensures the free and safe entry of humanitarian aid, and alleviates the worsening suffering in Gaza."