Trump says Israel, Hamas ‘close’ to Gaza deal, teases ‘permanent deal’ with Iran

Despite reports of little progress in Doha negotiations, President Trump says on the eve of meeting with Netanyahu that a partial hostage deal could happen as early as this week.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

President Donald Trump on Sunday teased a possible nuclear deal with Iran, while expressing optimism regarding the prospects for a new hostage deal between Israel and Hamas in the coming days.

The president spoke briefly with reporters at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, just before boarding Air Force One for a return flight to Washington.

When asked about his upcoming meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, slated for Monday afternoon, Trump said Israel and Hamas “are close to a deal,” suggesting an agreement for a temporary ceasefire and partial hostage release could be forthcoming this week.

“I think we are close to a deal on Gaza. We could have it this week. I think that there is a good chance we’ll have a deal with Hamas… during the coming week pertaining to quite a few of the hostages.”

While the U.S. has previously pushed for a full hostage deal, securing the release of all remaining hostages, Trump acknowledged that the proposal now under consideration would return only some of the 50 hostages still in Gaza, less than half of whom are believed to be still alive.

“You know, we’ve gotten a lot of the hostages out, but pertaining to the remaining hostages, quite a few of whom will be coming out, we think we will have that done this week.”

The president added that his meeting with Netanyahu on Monday will also focus on efforts to secure a “permanent deal” with Iran regarding the cessation of its nuclear program.

“We are working on a lot of things with Israel. And one of the things is probably a permanent deal with Iran. In other words, they have to give up all of the things that you know so well.”

Trump reiterated his claims that the U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities last month resulted in their “complete and total obliteration.”

“The attack turned out according to every single atomic energy commission that it was a complete and total obliteration.”

“Every bomb hit its mark perfectly. They would have to start all over again at a different location. The word I used was correct: ‘obliteration’.”