Trump Considers Middle East Visit Amid Gaza Peace Talks

President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday the possibility of traveling to the Middle East as discussions around peace in Gaza continue. He mentioned, “It might go over the weekend. It might actually be Sunday, we’ll see,” while speaking from the White House during a roundtable event focused on the radical left group Antifa.

Trump shared optimism, stating, “We have a great team over there, we have great negotiators, and unfortunately we have great negotiators over there as well. But I think it’s going to happen. There’s a good chance it’s going to happen.”

Currently, U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Egypt working on the details of a possible peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, amid ongoing conflict that began on October 7, 2023.

Trump hinted that negotiations seem to be advancing. He noted, “I was just talking to people in the Middle East, our people and others about the possibility of peace in the Middle East. Peace in the Middle East. It’s a beautiful word and we hope it happens, but it’s very close and they’re doing very well.”

On September 29, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump introduced a 20-point plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza. This proposal includes offering “amnesty” to Hamas members who lay down their arms for peace, creating a “de-radicalized terror-free zone” in Gaza, and plans for redevelopment to mitigate future threats.

Trump warned Hamas about the consequences of inaction, stating there would be “massive bloodshed” if they did not agree to the deal. Just recently, Hamas announced its willingness to release all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, as part of the proposed agreement.

Discussions between Israeli and Hamas officials took place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday. Kushner, who played a crucial role in the Abraham Accords during Trump’s first term, and Witkoff are presently aiding the negotiations from Egypt.

According to Israeli diplomatic sources, the negotiations are honing in on specific names for prisoners and evacuation corridor management. It was reported that Israel’s Cabinet convened to deliberate on the subsequent steps, indicating fruitful progress in discussions.

A U.S. official stated that negotiations in Gaza are “up to a few points” and noted positive developments occurring in Sharm el-Sheikh. Trump elaborated that “negotiations are progressing very well,” mentioning involvement from various Islamic countries and noting the unprecedented nature of these talks with Hamas.

If Trump decides to travel to the Middle East this weekend, he is expected to depart either Saturday or Sunday.