US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that talks to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza are advancing well. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “I think great progress is being made on Gaza.” He added that his envoy, Steve Witkoff, told him, “Gaza is very close.”

Trump made this statement just days after announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran following a 12-day conflict.

Mediation Efforts Intensify

Qatar, one of the key mediators in the Gaza conflict, announced on Tuesday that it would step up its push for a ceasefire.

Hamas also confirmed that discussions were becoming more active. Taher al-Nunu, a Hamas official, told AFP, “Our talks with mediators in Egypt and Qatar have continued and have grown in recent hours.” However, he added that Hamas had not yet received any new proposal to end the war.

Israel Holds Firm on Its Demands

Despite these mediation efforts, Israel remains firm in its military goals. The Israeli government has made it clear that it will continue operations in Gaza until Hamas is either destroyed, disarmed, or forced out of power. Israel also insists that all remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack must be released before a ceasefire can happen.

The October 7 Attack and Its Aftermath

On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led militants attacked Israel. They killed around 1,219 people, most of them civilians, and kidnapped 251 others. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military offensive in Gaza.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 56,000 Palestinians have died since then. However, the ministry does not separate the number of civilians from combatants in its report.

Hostages Still Held in Gaza

The Israeli military reports that 49 of the 251 hostages are still being held in Gaza. It believes 27 of them are already dead. The fate of these hostages remains one of the biggest obstacles in reaching a ceasefire agreement.

Outlook Uncertain But Talks Continue

While Trump’s remarks suggest optimism, the situation on the ground remains tense. Mediators in Egypt and Qatar continue their efforts. Hamas and Israeli officials remain locked in a political and military standoff. The international community is watching closely as hopes for a lasting truce grow, but many challenges still stand in the way.