Trump says he is optimistic about a Gaza deal

U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, 6 October, 2025
Reuters

Two years after the Gaza conflict began, President Donald Trump on Tuesday pledged United States backing for Gaza’s security guarantees and said he believed an agreement to free the remaining hostages was nearing completion.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, “I think there’s a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East,” extending beyond Gaza itself. He noted that the issue would be discussed with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

According to a U.S. official, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — who served as Trump’s Middle East envoy during his first term — were travelling to Egypt on Tuesday to join the talks.

The negotiations are being described as the most promising attempt yet to end a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated Gaza since the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.

“We are very close to reaching a deal that will bring peace to the Middle East after all these years,” Trump said at the start of his meeting with Carney.

When asked about the nature of U.S. security guarantees, Trump vowed support but gave no specifics.

“We are going to do everything possible — we have a lot of power — and we are going to do everything possible to make sure everyone abides by the agreement,” he added.

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