US President Donald Trump. Photo: Collected

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The United States is pushing for a truce 
in Gaza by "sometime next week," US President Donald Trump said Tuesday.

The Republican leader was asked by reporters if a ceasefire in the 
devastating war between Israel and Palestinians could be in place before a 
visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, set 
for July 7.

"We hope it's going to happen, and we're looking for it to happen sometime 
next week," Trump responded as he departed Washington for Florida. 

The swift resolution of Israel's 12-day war with Iran has revived hopes for a 
halt to the fighting in Gaza, where more than 20 months of combat have 
created dire humanitarian conditions for the population of more than two 
million.

Trump has previously urged Israel to "make the deal in Gaza," but on the 
ground, Israel has continued to pursue its offensive across the Palestinian 
territory.