Washington D.C., June 27, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Friday that a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas could be reached within the coming week, amid escalating international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“We think within the next week, we’re going to get a ceasefire,” Trump told reporters at the White House, during a high-level diplomatic meeting with African foreign ministers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
The comments come after months of renewed hostilities, which resumed in March 2025 when Israel declared an end to the previous ceasefire, accusing Hamas of regrouping. That truce, brokered with U.S. support during the final days of former President Joe Biden’s administration, had brought temporary relief following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the conflict.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Since March, Israel halted all humanitarian supplies — including food and medicine — into Gaza for over two months, triggering widespread famine warnings from aid agencies. The blockade has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths, especially among children, according to independent observers.
In response, Israel recently permitted limited aid access through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial joint operation involving U.S. security contractors and Israeli military oversight. However, witnesses and Gaza officials allege that Palestinians have been killed while waiting for aid, raising serious human rights concerns.
On Thursday (June 26), the U.S. announced $30 million in funding to support the aid initiative.
“We’re supplying, as you know, a lot of money and a lot of food to that area,” Trump said Friday. “We’re involved because people are dying. And look at those crowds of people that have no food, no anything.”
Mounting Criticism Over Israeli Tactics
Israeli newspaper Haaretz published an explosive report quoting anonymous Israeli soldiers, who claimed they were ordered by commanders to fire at unarmed Palestinian crowds near aid centers to disperse them. The report adds to international scrutiny over Israel’s handling of the crisis.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied these allegations, calling them “false and harmful” to the morale of the Israeli Defense Forces.
Ceasefire Prospects and Diplomatic Pressure
The potential ceasefire comes amid increased U.S. diplomatic pressure and mounting concern among allies over the humanitarian toll and regional instability. The Trump administration, which had initially taken a hardline stance in support of Israel, has quietly shifted towards brokering renewed talks in recent weeks.
Officials familiar with the negotiations say that Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are also involved behind the scenes in shaping the terms of a possible agreement. Sources indicate that key demands on both sides — including hostage releases and a phased Israeli withdrawal — are being debated.
If finalized, the ceasefire would be the second major truce in the nearly two-year-old conflict, and would mark a significant diplomatic achievement for the Trump administration early in his second term.
