Views: 7
U.S., Israel discuss Gaza as France, Egypt, Jordan push for ceasefire, PA rule
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House on Monday to discuss the Gaza hostage crisis while Egypt, France and Jordan jointly called for the restoring of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and stressed that governance of the territory must fall solely under an empowered Palestinian Authority.
Israel resumed large-scale air and ground operations in Gaza on March 18, breaking a nearly two-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that took effect on January 19. Israel said the strikes happened because Hamas refused “to release our hostages,” while Hamas accused Israel of deliberately violating the ceasefire agreement and escalating the conflict.
In a brief Oval Office session open to reporters on Monday, Trump called the release of hostages held in Gaza a “top priority.” He expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations but provided no specific details.
“We’re making progress,” Trump said. “I believe we’ll see all the hostages home soon.”
Netanyahu agreed, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to securing the hostages’ freedom.
They also addressed the shaky ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. While they announced no new agreements, both stressed the importance of reducing violence in the region.
The White House had initially planned a joint press conference but canceled it without explanation. Instead, reporters asked questions during their brief access to the Oval Office meeting.
Trump did not discuss any long-term plans for Gaza’s redevelopment during this meeting. His administration has previously proposed controversial ideas for the region, which have faced criticism from various groups.
A handout photo made available by the Egyptian presidency shows Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) hosting a trilateral summit on Gaza with Jordan’s King Abdullah II (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron in Cairo, Egypt, April 7, 2025. /VCG
Egypt, France, Jordan support PA rule over Gaza
Monday also saw a trilateral summit on Gaza in Cairo that gathered the Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, French President Emmanuel Macron and King Abdullah II of Jordan.
The leaders called for the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas signed on January 19, which stipulated the release of all hostages and detainees and the guarantee of their security.
They emphasized that the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers and ensuring full access to aid are obligations that must be fulfilled under international law and international humanitarian law.
The three leaders expressed their grave concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
They also called for an end to all unilateral measures that undermine the viability of the two-state solution and increase tensions, emphasizing the need to respect the historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem.
The leaders expressed their rejection of the displacement of Palestinians from their land and any attempt to annex Palestinian territory.
In this regard, the leaders called for international support for the Gaza Reconstruction Plan, adopted by the emergency Arab Summit held in Cairo on March 4 and by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on March 7, and discussed mechanisms for its effective implementation.
They also highlighted the need to crystallize these efforts at a June conference, to be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, in order to build a clear political horizon for the implementation of the two-state solution.
Palestinians wait to get donated food at a distribution center in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestine, April 7, 2025. /VCG
According to Gaza-based health authorities, 56 people were killed and 137 others injured in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities and injuries to 1,391 and 3,434, respectively, since March 18.
The overall death toll in Gaza has reached 50,752, with 115,475 others injured since the very beginning of the Israeli military operations in the enclave on October 7, 2023, the health authorities reported.
The heads of six United Nations agencies issued a joint statement on Monday, calling on the international community to take urgent and decisive action to restore a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ensure unrestricted humanitarian access, and protect civilian lives.
They warned that for more than a month, no commercial or humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza, where over 2.1 million people remain trapped under ongoing bombardment and severe shortages. Meanwhile, critical aid, including food, medicine, fuel and shelter materials, continues to accumulate at border crossings, unable to reach those in need, they said.
CGTN (With inputs from Xinhua)