President Trump Discusses Ceasefire Talks Between Israel and Hamas

US President Donald Trump gave an update on the ongoing ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, stating on Thursday that "pretty good talks" were happening, though he did not provide further details. The ceasefire, which began on January 19, has resulted in the release of 33 Israeli hostages and around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, the initial six-week phase of the ceasefire is set to end soon, with Israel sending negotiators to Cairo to discuss extending it.

The potential extension has raised questions about the future of the ceasefire. When asked about phase two of the agreement, Trump responded cautiously, saying, "We'll see what happens. Nobody really knows, but we'll see what happens." He added that negotiations are ongoing but stopped short of offering specifics.

While the ceasefire has been praised for its humanitarian impact, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the terms.

The violence in Gaza erupted in the wake of Hamas' brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 250 hostages. The ongoing conflict continues to be a major point of international diplomatic focus.