Trump says Gaza peace deal near, hostages may soon be freed

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he is close to a deal to end the war in Gaza and bring hostages home.

"It's looking like we have a deal on Gaza. I think it's a deal that gets the hostages back, it's going to be a deal that ends the war," Trump told reporters before departing the White House to attend the Ryder Cup golf tournament in New York.

He did not offer further details.

While international leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York this week, the United States unveiled a 21-point Middle East peace plan aimed at ending the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

Also Read: Mass walkouts at UN as Netanyahu takes stage

The proposal was circulated Tuesday to officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan, according to US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Trump, who remains Israel's staunchest ally on the global stage, said he spoke Thursday with representatives from several Middle Eastern nations as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump on West Bank 

Trump said on Thursday that he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, rejecting calls from some far-right politicians in Israel who want to extend sovereignty over the area and snuff out hopes for a Palestinian state.

Gaza deal talks

While international leaders gather at the United Nations in New York, the US presented a 21-point Middle East peace plan in a bid to end the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

It was shared with leaders and officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan on Tuesday, according to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Also Read: Trump, Muslim leaders explore Gaza peace options

Trump, who remains Israel's staunchest ally on the world stage, said that he spoke with representatives from Middle Eastern nations and Netanyahu on Thursday and that a deal on Gaza could happen soon.

"We want the hostages back, we want the bodies back and we want to have peace in that region. So we had some very good talks," he said.

Israel has drawn global condemnation over its war in Gaza, which is nearing the two-year mark with no ceasefire in sight. The conflict has caused major destruction and killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.