Trump Optimistic for Gaza Ceasefire, Pushes Ambitious Expansion of Abraham Accords to Reshape Middle East Peace - Faith & Freedom News

WASHINGTON — Amidst heightened regional tensions, President Donald Trump shared optimistic projections on Friday, stating his belief that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip could be reached “within the next week.” Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump revealed ongoing discussions with key individuals involved in efforts to secure both a ceasefire and the release of hostages, signaling active diplomatic engagement behind the scenes.

These remarks come as Washington prepares for a visit from Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for talks expected to cover both the Gaza situation and broader regional dynamics with Iran. Reports suggest that President Trump is actively encouraging Israel to conclude the ongoing conflict with Hamas, particularly following the recent, brief hostilities with Iran, emphasizing a strategic pivot towards expanding regional peace.

Building on the Abraham Accords: A Vision for a New Middle East

A central pillar of this diplomatic push is the ambitious expansion of the Abraham Accords, a landmark achievement of the first Trump administration that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Signed in 2020, these accords — initially involving Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, later joined by Morocco and Sudan — marked the most significant diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East in decades. The term “Abraham” itself symbolizes the shared values of tolerance, dialogue, and coexistence among Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, aiming to foster a broader culture of peace across the region.

The White House is now actively pursuing the inclusion of more Arab countries, with a significant focus on Syria. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump is “certainly hopeful that more countries in the region will sign on to the Abraham Accords… we want to see a long, endurable peace in the Middle East and that’s the way to do it.” She disclosed that during President Trump’s recent meeting with the new Syrian President, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, a key request was for Syria to join the accords, emphasizing the administration’s determination to see this happen.

This drive for Syrian inclusion follows the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime last December, which has paved the way for stronger ties between the United States and Syria’s new transitional government, including the recent lifting of U.S. sanctions.

Behind the Scenes: Direct Dialogue and Regional Shifts

Reports indicate robust, direct engagement. Israeli National Security Council Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi recently confirmed to Knesset members that Israel is engaged in direct, daily communication with Syria’s interim authorities to explore normalization. He also indicated that both Syria and Lebanon are being considered as candidates for future inclusion in the Abraham Accords. Hanegbi also noted that any Israeli withdrawal from buffer zones with Syria would be contingent on final agreements, while affirming Israel’s stance on the Syrian Hermon (Golan Heights).

US Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, further supported the narrative of cautious optimism, suggesting that the current Syrian administration is “quietly negotiating with Israel on all issues” and does not desire war. This sentiment was echoed by US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, who described “successful” talks with Arab countries regarding joining the Accords and predicted a “flood of announcements in the coming weeks.” Witkoff’s vision extends to including nations “that might not have been thought of as considering normalization one day,” aiming to build a foundation for stability across the Middle East.

However, the path to expanded peace is not without complexities. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly denied elements of a recent Israel Hayom story that claimed a broad agreement between Trump and Netanyahu on ending the Gaza war and governing the Strip, including Saudi Arabia and Syria establishing ties, and four Arab countries jointly governing Gaza. Netanyahu’s office clarified that Israel “was not presented with the diplomatic proposal that is described in the article, and would not have agreed to it, anyway.”

Furthermore, while the White House is keen to expand the Accords with Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Lebanon after the cessation of hostilities, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has linked normalization with a “just and comprehensive solution for the Palestinian issue.”

Amidst these diplomatic efforts, a powerful visual message recently emerged in Tel Aviv, where billboards displayed the phrase “Abraham Alliance… It’s time for a new Middle East,” featuring an AI-generated image of Arab leaders alongside President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, including transitional Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This imagery underscores the profound hope that a renewed commitment to dialogue and shared values can indeed usher in a transformative era of peace and stability across the entire region.

For more on regional developments and perspectives, watch Senator Steve Daines’ reaction to these reports: Sen. Steve Daines Reacts to Reports on Trump, Netanyahu, and Gaza.