In a bold diplomatic intervention, U.S. President Donald Trump called for a halt in Israeli bombardment of Gaza ahead of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas, urging that military pauses be used as spaces for dialogue and negotiations.
Trump’s appeal comes as mediators prepare for indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt, aimed at finalising a peace agreement under his 20-point proposal. He stated that a temporary cessation of hostilities would provide breathing room for negotiators and help secure a durable truce.
Officials close to the peace efforts confirmed that Trump’s entreaty is part of a broader strategy to influence both sides toward agreement. While Hamas has signalled conditional acceptance of some elements of his plan, Israel continues operations in Gaza even amid emerging diplomatic overtures.
The gasps of ongoing violence are stark: reports emerged that at least 24 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in fresh Israeli strikes, despite Trump’s call for a pause. The Israeli military says its actions target operational threats, not civilians, attributing the timing to ongoing conflict requirements.
Observers note that the U.S. pressure reflects concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. The conflict has drawn intense international criticism over civilian casualties, blockades and infrastructure damage. Trump’s stance signals that the U.S. may now lean more heavily toward diplomacy than unilateral military support.
Some analysts, however, argue that a simple pause is unlikely to be respected unless both parties commit credibly. Israeli hardline factions remain sceptical of Hamas, while militants continue rocket launches and air defences in Jerusalem. The success of negotiations may depend on crucial elements such as hostages release, phased withdrawals, and security guarantees.
As delegations arrive in Egypt for talks, momentum is high—negotiators hope to capitalise on Trump’s intervention to produce a ceasefire framework. But until formal agreements are made, the region remains fragile, with civilians caught in the crossfire and diplomacy racing against time.
