U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday there are “no guarantees” that the fragile Gaza ceasefire will hold as he prepares for discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The talks aim to negotiate a second phase of the truce between Israel and Hamas, which remains unresolved.
Netanyahu, who arrived in Washington for high-level discussions, emphasized Israel's focus on countering Iran, securing the release of all hostages, and fortifying efforts against Hamas. He described the meeting with Trump as a testament to the strong Israeli-American alliance.
Despite the ceasefire holding for over two weeks, two Hamas officials confirmed that the group is open to negotiations for a second phase that could secure a long-term cessation of violence. Under the initial 42-day ceasefire deal, Hamas agreed to release 33 hostages in exchange for the staggered release of approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
President Trump, who claimed credit for the ceasefire agreement following 15 months of war, expressed cautious optimism, stating, “There are no guarantees that peace will hold.” His administration's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, conveyed a hopeful outlook as discussions commenced on Monday.
The next phase of negotiations is anticipated to cover the release of the remaining hostages and potentially pave the way for a permanent truce. Hamas representatives confirmed their readiness to engage in talks, awaiting formal steps from mediators.
Meanwhile, the ongoing truce has allowed significant humanitarian aid, including food, fuel, and medical supplies, to enter Gaza. The UN reports that over 545,000 displaced Gazans have returned to the northern part of the territory.
Escalation in the West Bank
As focus shifts to the West Bank, Israeli military operations have intensified. Israel reported the deaths of at least 50 militants and the detention of over 100 individuals in an offensive launched on January 21 in the Jenin area. On Monday, the Palestinian presidency condemned the operation, denouncing what it described as efforts to displace citizens and carry out ethnic cleansing.
The conflict has claimed heavy casualties on both sides. The October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas left 1,210 people dead in Israel, mostly civilians, with 91 hostages still in Gaza. Israel's retaliatory strikes have resulted in at least 47,498 deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
As Trump and Netanyahu deliberate on the next steps, regional observers stress the importance of a durable solution that ensures stability and prevents further violence.
Netanyahu, who arrived in Washington for high-level discussions, emphasized Israel's focus on countering Iran, securing the release of all hostages, and fortifying efforts against Hamas. He described the meeting with Trump as a testament to the strong Israeli-American alliance.
Despite the ceasefire holding for over two weeks, two Hamas officials confirmed that the group is open to negotiations for a second phase that could secure a long-term cessation of violence. Under the initial 42-day ceasefire deal, Hamas agreed to release 33 hostages in exchange for the staggered release of approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
President Trump, who claimed credit for the ceasefire agreement following 15 months of war, expressed cautious optimism, stating, “There are no guarantees that peace will hold.” His administration's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, conveyed a hopeful outlook as discussions commenced on Monday.
The next phase of negotiations is anticipated to cover the release of the remaining hostages and potentially pave the way for a permanent truce. Hamas representatives confirmed their readiness to engage in talks, awaiting formal steps from mediators.
Meanwhile, the ongoing truce has allowed significant humanitarian aid, including food, fuel, and medical supplies, to enter Gaza. The UN reports that over 545,000 displaced Gazans have returned to the northern part of the territory.
Escalation in the West Bank
As focus shifts to the West Bank, Israeli military operations have intensified. Israel reported the deaths of at least 50 militants and the detention of over 100 individuals in an offensive launched on January 21 in the Jenin area. On Monday, the Palestinian presidency condemned the operation, denouncing what it described as efforts to displace citizens and carry out ethnic cleansing.
The conflict has claimed heavy casualties on both sides. The October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas left 1,210 people dead in Israel, mostly civilians, with 91 hostages still in Gaza. Israel's retaliatory strikes have resulted in at least 47,498 deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
As Trump and Netanyahu deliberate on the next steps, regional observers stress the importance of a durable solution that ensures stability and prevents further violence.
