ISLAMABAD: Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence on Friday that a new ceasefire in Gaza could be achieved “within the next week,” even as international outrage grew over rising civilian deaths during aid distribution.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said negotiations are progressing, and a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is likely soon.
The conflict, reignited after Israel resumed strikes in March, has caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip.
Israel had previously broken a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that had been negotiated during the final days of Joe Biden’s administration with support from Trump’s transition team.
Since the renewed hostilities, Israel has been accused of targeting food distribution sites operated under the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-supported aid initiative that has replaced UN deliveries.
Aid Distribution Turns Into ‘Killing Field’
The GHF initiative, which includes private U.S. contractors working alongside Israeli troops, is under fire from human rights organizations and the United Nations.
UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini described the sites as a “killing field,” where Palestinians are “shot at while trying to access food.”
More than 500 Palestinians have reportedly been killed near these distribution points since late May, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence, stating, “The search for food must never be a death sentence.”
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) went further, calling the current aid effort “slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid.”
The Israeli military denies deliberately targeting civilians and has stated that it is investigating several incidents, including Friday’s reported deaths of 10 Palestinians waiting for aid.
Israel Rejects UN Claims, Conflict Intensifies
Israel has strongly denied the UN’s allegations, accusing it of aligning with Hamas to disrupt humanitarian efforts.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed media reports suggesting Israeli commanders had authorized indiscriminate firing at aid seekers.
Meanwhile, fighting continues.
Militant groups including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad launched coordinated attacks on Israeli troops near Khan Yunis.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 56,000 people — mostly civilians — have been killed in Israel’s military response since the war began on October 7, 2023.
The humanitarian toll continues to climb, with new funerals taking place daily, and aid groups demanding an immediate halt to hostilities.
