President Trump called for an end to the war in Gaza on Sunday, urging the release of captives as tension remains between Israel and Hamas.
“Make the deal in Gaza,” Mr. Trump posted in all caps on Truth Social. “Get the hostages back!!!”
Signs of potential movement toward a deal emerged on Sunday.
A top adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to arrive in Washington this week to discuss a potential ceasefire, according to the Associated Press. Citing an anonymous Israeli official, the AP reported that plans are also in the works for Mr. Netanyahu to visit the U.S.
Hamas, however, has accused Mr. Netanyahu of stalling action on a potential deal. Hamas has said it is willing to release hostages in exchange for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops and an end to the war, and it 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 views ongoing legal proceedings against Mr. Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, as another obstacle.
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 long. The president has previously 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 testimony from Mr. Netanyahu scheduled for this week at the prime minister’s request, amid security and diplomatic developments.
Alongside the push to end the war in Gaza, Mr. Trump looks 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 capabilities of the virulently anti-Israel regime in Iran and its proxies have been degraded by the war with Israel.
“What about the Abraham Accords — would Syria enter?” said 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.”
While Mr. Trump is urging greater participation in the Abraham Accords, word spread online on Sunday that Iran was targeting Mr. Trump for death.
Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, amplified a post on X that said Iran’s ayatollah has issued a death fatwa aimed at Mr. Trump.
The nonprofit National Union for Democracy in Iran said the fatwa published by Islamic Republic state media called for Mr. Trump’s murder.
U.S. government officials have previously accused Iran of attempting to kill Mr. Trump.
Last year, the Justice Department said the Iranian regime plotted to assassinate Mr. Trump, and 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 last week, which warned of a heightened threat environment. It warned the likelihood of violent extremism would increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for violence against American targets.
The department also said 11 Iranians illegally inside America were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials last week.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
