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U.S. President Donald Trump expressed cautious optimism Sunday about reaching a Gaza cease-fire agreement within a week as negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue in the Qatari capital Doha.
"(We are talking about Gaza), and hopefully we're going to get that straightened out over the next week," Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, echoing similar optimistic comments he made on July 4.
Israel has agreed to the necessary terms for a 60-day cease-fire, with the proposal submitted to Hamas earlier through mediators in Qatar and Egypt. Hamas also responded positively, expressing readiness to move forward with negotiations to implement the cease-fire and facilitate a hostage exchange.
The talks in Doha have mainly focused on a temporary cessation of hostilities and the release of 10 Israeli hostages still alive in Gaza, along with the bodies of 18 others who are believed to have been killed during Israeli airstrikes.
Even if a cease-fire is reached, Israel has announced plans to maintain a military presence in Rafah and establish a "concentration camp" as part of its aim to deport Palestinians to other countries.
"Discussions are currently focused on the proposed maps for the redeployment of Israeli forces within Gaza. Mediators are actively exploring innovative mechanisms to help bridge the remaining gaps and maintain momentum in the negotiations," a source with knowledge of the negotiations tells Fox News on Sunday.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Amman, Jordan, on Sunday, to discuss recent developments in the Palestinian territories.
Abbas stated that the "only solution" in Gaza is Israel's complete withdrawal from the territory.
"The only solution in Gaza is for Israel to completely withdraw. The Palestinian state must assume all responsibilities for the region with the support of the international community," Abbas said.
Abbas also demanded that Hamas "hand over its weapons to the Palestinian administration" and said the group must "engage in political activities while adhering to the Palestine Liberation Organization's political program, international program, and international legitimacy."
Regarding the cease-fire, Abbas emphasized the need for "urgent cease-fire, the release of all Israeli prisoners and Palestinian detainees, as well as urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip."
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