Islamabad, June 26, 2025: In a major development, US President Donald Trump has claimed that a Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is “very close,” crediting recent US military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities for reviving stalled peace talks in the Middle East.
While speaking at a NATO summit in The Hague alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said that his administration’s strong stance against Iran has created a window for renewed negotiations.
“I think great progress is being made on Gaza,” Trump stated. “Because of the attack that we made [on Iran], I think we’re going to have some very good news.”
He emphasized that the strikes have reasserted America’s position as a key power in the region, indirectly paving the way for Middle East peace talks. According to Trump, discussions were already close to a breakthrough before the military response.
Steve Witkoff: Key Behind-the-Scenes Advisor
Trump pointed to Steve Witkoff, a trusted advisor and US special envoy to the Middle East, as the key source of intelligence on the situation.
“He knows more about this subject than anybody,” Trump said. “He told me that [a deal on Gaza] is very close.”
Qatar Confirms Talks Have Restarted
Qatari officials backed Trump’s claims, confirming that diplomatic channels between Hamas and Israel have reopened, thanks to the recent Iran-Israel ceasefire.
Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that mediators are building on the momentum.
“We’ve spoken to all sides in the past couple of days,” he told CNN. “This is the time now for President Trump to push. We believe he is sincere.”
He clarified that while the final agreement is still under discussion, the structure remains consistent with prior proposals.
“We’re not out of the woods yet, but the framework is still intact,” Al Ansari added.
Iran’s Strike on U.S. Base Raises Questions
In response to US strikes, Iran launched a missile at a U.S. base in Qatar over the weekend. The attack caused no casualties but signaled rising tensions.
Qatar denied any coordination with Tehran.
“This was a surprise to us,” Al Ansari noted. “We are trying to help Iran with regional diplomacy, so this move was unexpected.”
Gaza Toll Continues to Rise
Since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, over 55,000 Palestinians, including more than 17,000 children, have been killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israel launched its operation in Gaza following Hamas attacks that killed over 1,200 Israelis.
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