Trump calls for end to war in Gaza and release of hostages

President Trump called Sunday for Israel and Hamas to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

“Make the deal in Gaza,” Mr. Trump posted in all caps on Truth Social. “Get the hostages back!!!”

Signs of movement toward a deal emerged.

A top adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to arrive in Washington this week to discuss a potential ceasefire, The Associated Press reported. Citing an anonymous Israeli official, AP said plans were also being made for Mr. Netanyahu to visit the U.S.

Hamas has accused Mr. Netanyahu of stalling action on a potential deal and said it is willing to release hostages in exchange for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops and an end to the war. The terrorist group accused Mr. Netanyahu of insisting on a temporary agreement.

Mr. Netanyahu’s spokesman labeled Hamas as the main obstacle to ending the war.

Mr. Trump said another obstacle was ongoing legal proceedings against Mr. Netanyahu regarding corruption charges.

In a Saturday evening post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump said Mr. Netanyahu was negotiating a deal with Hamas to include the hostage release but was stuck in court all day. The president has called for the trial to be canceled.

“It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure,” Mr. Trump wrote. “This travesty of ‘Justice’ will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations. In other words, it is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu.”

The Israeli court called off two more days of Mr. Netanyahu’s testimony this week because of security and diplomatic developments.

Along with an end to the war in Gaza, Mr. Trump appears to be interested in expanding the 2020 Abraham Accords to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and the Arab world.

Mr. Trump told Fox News Channel on Sunday that more countries may join the agreement now that war with Israel has degraded the capabilities of the virulently anti-Israel regime in Iran and its proxies.

“What about the Abraham Accords — would Syria enter?” asked Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo.

“Well, I don’t know, but I did take off the sanctions at the request of some of the other countries in the area that are friends of ours,” Mr. Trump said. “I took off the sanctions on Syria to give them a chance at, you know, the sanctions are biting. They’re very strong.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, amplified a post on X that said Iran’s supreme leader had issued a fatwa, or religious decree, calling for the death of Mr. Trump.

The nonprofit National Union for Democracy in Iran said Iranian state media had published the fatwa.

Last year, the Justice Department said the Iranian regime plotted to assassinate Mr. Trump. Iran disputed the allegations.

U.S. officials are on edge over the prospect of Iran-inspired violence inside America.

The Department of Homeland Security published a bulletin warning of a heightened threat environment last week. It said the likelihood of violent extremism would increase if the Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for violence against American targets. 

The department said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had arrested 11 Iranians illegally inside the U.S. last week.

• This article is based in part on wire service reports.