Trump renews push for ceasefire in Gaza, but his 'resort plan' casts a shadow

File Photo - US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Netanyahu departs the White House in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2025.

US President Donald Trump has revived efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, The Jerusalem Post has reported, citing a US source familiar with the negotiations. The renewed talks also aim to secure the release of the remaining hostages taken during the October 7 terrorist attack.

According to the report, the Trump administration is “optimistic” about reaching a deal after months of stalled diplomacy and escalating violence. The previous Israel-Hamas truce, reached in January, collapsed in March, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order the resumption of attacks on Gaza. Thousands of Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the renewed offensive, with many casualties occurring as civilians gathered to receive humanitarian aid.

A source told The Jerusalem Post that “75 per cent of issues have been resolved in recent weeks.”

“The remaining 25 per cent includes key matters such as the humanitarian situation, the conclusion of the war itself, and the guarantees Israel is demanding to prevent Hamas from rearming,” the source said.

One of the proposals on the table is the exile of Hamas leaders from Gaza as part of a post-ceasefire arrangement. The report stated that this option is under serious discussion, although Hamas has previously rejected the idea.

The talks come at a politically sensitive time for Trump, who had entered office promising to end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Instead, his administration oversaw the outbreak of direct hostilities with Iran and has drawn criticism for what many see as open support for Israel’s military campaign.

Trump recently announced a controversial plan to take over Gaza and convert it into a “resort town” following the expulsion of all Palestinians – a declaration that critics say amounts to ethnic cleansing and would effectively end any hope of a two-state solution.

Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said his country’s recent war with Iran had created "opportunities" for freeing hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza, where witnesses and rescuers reported more than 30 people killed Sunday.

His comments lifted hope for a new ceasefire in the devastating conflict in the Palestinian territory, after Trump said he hoped a truce could be sealed within days.

Israel is bombarding Gaza in a bid to destroy the militant group Hamas after its deadly attack on Israel in October 2023.

Netanyahu said that after his country's recent "victory" over Iran in their 12-day war, "many opportunities have opened up... first of all, to rescue the hostages."

"Of course, we will also have to solve the Gaza issue, to defeat Hamas, but I estimate that we will achieve both goals," he said.

Following the war between Israel and Iran that ended with a ceasefire on June 24, domestic and diplomatic pressure has risen on Netanyahu to also secure a halt to the fighting in Gaza.