Pakistan, June 26 -- JERUSALEM - US President Donald Trump expressed hope on Wednesday that progress is being made to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, more than 20 months after the conflict began. Speaking before a NATO summit in the Netherlands, Trump said his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, informed him that "Gaza is very close" to a ceasefire.

Trump linked his optimism to the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas's supporter, Iran, which paused 12 days of intense fighting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hinted that Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear and missile sites might help bring peace to Gaza.

Despite these signs, Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told AFP that no new ceasefire proposals have been receive...