Trump Sees 'Genuine Opportunity' for Gaza Peace Deal

President Donald Trump said Tuesday there's a "real chance" for reaching a peace deal in Gaza as indirect negotiations continue between the warring parties. Trump made the comments while meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House, signaling renewed optimism about ending the conflict that has dragged on for over a year.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said "there's a real chance we can do something," confirming that American negotiators are actively participating in the talks. The statement marks one of Trump's most direct comments on Gaza diplomacy since taking office, suggesting his administration sees momentum in the current round of discussions.

The indirect negotiations typically involve mediators shuttling between Israeli and Hamas representatives, since the two sides don't negotiate face-to-face. Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have historically played key roles in these mediation efforts, with talks often focusing on prisoner exchanges, ceasefire terms, and humanitarian aid access.

For markets and regional stability, any breakthrough in Gaza would likely ease geopolitical tensions that have periodically rattled oil prices and regional currencies. A sustained peace agreement could also free up diplomatic bandwidth for other Middle East issues and potentially reduce defense spending pressures on both sides.

Trump's comments come as his administration appears to be taking a more hands-on approach to Middle East diplomacy compared to the final months of the previous administration. But past Gaza negotiations have repeatedly stalled over fundamental disagreements about governance, security arrangements, and the future of Hamas in the territory.