Trump Expresses Skepticism Over Gaza Ceasefire Amid Netanyahu Meeting
In a press conference at the White House, President Donald Trump acknowledged the lack of guarantees for the ongoing ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. "There are no guarantees that it will hold. I have seen people mistreated like never before. No one has seen anything like this," Trump remarked, highlighting the precariousness of the situation. His comments followed a comparison of Israel's small territorial size to his pen, with the broader Middle East likened to the size of his desk.
Trump is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which aims to secure the release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza. This meeting underscores Trump's skepticism regarding the future of the truce, as he has previously suggested that neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan should accommodate Gazan refugees.
The President then turned the discussion over to his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has played a pivotal role in the ceasefire agreement established between Israel and Hamas. Witkoff expressed cautious optimism, saying, "It holds for now and we certainly have hope, and that is the president's order to get the hostages out, save lives, and hopefully reach a peaceful resolution to all of this."
Witkoff met with Netanyahu shortly before making his statements, alongside National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. After the meeting, Netanyahu announced that a negotiating team would travel to Doha next weekend to continue discussions regarding the second phase of the ceasefire. This visit to Washington marks Netanyahu’s first diplomatic engagement with Trump after his inauguration.
The meeting is seen as a demonstration of international support for Netanyahu amid ongoing pressures, particularly following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which the U.S. does not recognize and has condemned.
Topics on the agenda for Trump's meeting with Netanyahu include the future of the Gaza Strip, the potential normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and rising tensions with Iran, which has previously targeted Israel with missile attacks and drone strikes.
Currently, the ceasefire, which began on January 19, has permitted the release of 13 Israeli hostages, in addition to five Thais, in exchange for over 500 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Upon returning to Israel, Netanyahu plans to convene the Security Cabinet to discuss the nation's strategy going forward regarding the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which is expected to commence after the initial 42-day term.
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