He also said he “will not allow” Israel to annex the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which had been mooted by some in Israel as a possible response to the recent move by the UK, France and other countries to recognise the state of Palestine.
During the UN General Assembly last week, Trump met with leaders of Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar, and Turkey, calling it his “most important meeting” of the day.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said the following day: “We’re hopeful and, I might say, even confident that in the coming days we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough.”
Over the weekend, Trump posted on social media: “We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!”
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
At least 66,055 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
In August, a UN-backed body confirmed that famine was taking place in Gaza City. Earlier this month, a UN commission of inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza – which Israel strongly rejects.