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U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani on Wednesday to discuss ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid. The talks center on a U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, which includes a phased hostage release, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza, and steps toward a permanent resolution.
Negotiations have been underway in Doha since July 6, with Israeli and Hamas officials participating. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism on Sunday about the progress being made. Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has been a key mediator in the process.
However, major disagreements remain—particularly over the extent of Israel’s potential withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas is demanding a full exit, while Israel has maintained a more limited approach.
The conflict escalated in October 2023 when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, killing 1,200 and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Since then, Israel’s military operations have killed over 58,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The war has devastated Gaza, leading to mass displacement, food shortages, and allegations of war crimes and genocide—accusations that Israel denies.
A previous two-month ceasefire collapsed on March 18 after Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed more than 400 Palestinians. Trump’s earlier suggestion for a U.S. administration of Gaza sparked international backlash, with critics labeling it a form of ethnic cleansing.
The upcoming Trump-Sheikh Mohammed meeting may also cover the revival of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, according to sources cited by Ravid. The outcome of the discussions could shape the next phase of diplomacy in the Middle East, as global pressure mounts for an end to the war.
