US President Donald Trump convened a cabinet meeting Thursday evening at the White House, amid ongoing domestic developments including the federal government shutdown.
During the session, Trump addressed several questions regarding the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas, declaring "We ended the war in Gaza." Trump voiced hope that this would mark the beginning of "a lasting peace, peace in the Middle East."
The cabinet meeting, the eighth of his administration, came as the US faces a federal government shutdown. Despite the domestic turmoil, Trump dedicated part of the session to addressing the first phase of the ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas. He added that the plan had garnered wide support, "even from the media."
"This whole thing needs to stop, and we're going to deal with it," he continued. "There are wealthy countries in the region, and their aid will help Gaza immensely. There's an incredible momentum like I've never seen." He added, "October 7 was horrific. Hamas suffered 70,000 losses."
Asked about the hostage situation, Trump called it "a complicated process" and said, "We're getting the hostages back on Monday or Tuesday." He emphasized that "for the parents, the young who are dead are just as important as the ones who are alive."
He also thanked all those involved in the negotiations that led to the breakthrough, naming Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and others. "Erdogan was in touch with Hamas. They were all incredible. Indonesia was fantastic," he said. Trump also praised his envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff: "He worked so hard. We ended seven wars and conflicts, this is the eighth."
