Trump “Very Optimistic” on Gaza Deal as Hamas Ready to Start Ceasefire Talks “Immediately”

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is “very optimistic” about a deal on Gaza, while Hamas expressed readiness to start talks “immediately” on a proposed ceasefire.
Trump told reporters, “There could be a Gaza deal next week,” while noting that the situation changes constantly.
“But you know, look, it changes from day to day. It's been changing for years. It changed. As I came in, I inherited a very bad situation in many ways,” he said.
Trump added, “We've gotten a lot of hostages out, as you know, from Gaza. A lot. But unfortunately, you know, we came into that, we inherited that situation.”
He also said it is “good” that Hamas had responded positively to the proposed ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Hamas said in a statement on Friday that it has “submitted a positive response to the mediators,” stating, “The movement is ready to engage immediately and seriously in a cycle of negotiations on the mechanism to put [the proposal] in place.”
Islamic Jihad, like Hamas, backed ceasefire talks but sought guarantees against renewed Israeli attacks.
Last week, Trump said Israel had agreed to secure a 60-day ceasefire, adding, “Qataris and Egyptians, who worked very hard to help bring peace, will deliver the final proposal.” He expressed hope that Hamas would accept the deal, warning that otherwise the situation “will only get worse.”
These developments come as Trump, expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said he expects a ceasefire before Netanyahu’s U.S. visit and will take a “very firm” stance on ending the war in Gaza.
05/07/2025