U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, October 8, that he may travel to the Middle East within days as diplomatic talks involving U.S., Qatari, Israeli, and Hamas representatives continue in Egypt to end the ongoing Gaza war.
Speaking at the White House, Trump hinted at a possible visit later in the week, saying, “Negotiations are going along very well. I may go there sometime toward the end of the week.”
The discussions are being held in Sharm el-Sheikh, a Red Sea resort city known for hosting major regional summits. Mediators say the talks have made significant progress toward achieving a ceasefire, securing hostage releases, and formulating a postwar plan for Gaza.
When asked if he would consider visiting Gaza, Trump replied, “I may do that, we haven’t decided exactly. I’ll be going to Egypt most likely, where everyone is gathered right now. I’ll be making the rounds, as the expression goes.”
A presidential visit to Gaza would be momentous — the first since Bill Clinton met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat there in 1998. Trump last visited Bethlehem in 2017 during his first term.
Central to the negotiations are Hamas’s demand for assurances that Israel will not resume attacks after hostages are released and Israel’s insistence on Hamas disarmament and withdrawal timelines. Analysts say Trump’s potential visit could provide the diplomatic momentum needed to seal a landmark ceasefire deal.
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