Kathmandu | June 28, 2025 —
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza could be achieved as early as next week. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office during an event celebrating the recent Congo-Rwanda peace agreement, Trump said, “I just spoke with some people working on the ceasefire effort. I think we’re getting close.”
His remarks come on the heels of his claimed success in brokering a ceasefire between Iran and Israel following a 12-day conflict. Trump criticized Iran for supporting militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, which have been in conflict with Israel over the past two years.
The war in Gaza escalated significantly after Hamas abducted around 250 Israelis on October 7, 2023. While many hostages have since been released through various ceasefire agreements or rescued by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), around 50 remain unaccounted for. Hamas-run health officials claim that tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed and much of Gaza has been destroyed in the fighting.
Trump also mentioned he is considering efforts to resolve tensions with North Korea. “I have a good relationship with Kim Jong-un. We get along well. So we’ll see what happens,” he said. “Some say conflict is possible, but I think we can find a solution. And even if something happens, we won’t be directly involved.”
Reiterating his commitment to global peace, Trump pledged to continue his diplomatic efforts to resolve international conflicts and promote stability.
