President Trump Considers Middle East Trip Amid Israel-Hamas Peace Negotiations

President Trump has indicated he may travel to the Middle East this weekend, with potential visits to Egypt and Gaza, as his administration continues to broker peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The announcement came during a White House roundtable discussion, where the president revealed that his team is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict.

Potential Travel Timeline and Locations

According to statements made Wednesday, President Trump suggested he could depart as early as Saturday or Sunday, depending on the progress of negotiations. "I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday, actually, and we'll see," the president stated during the White House event. He specifically mentioned Egypt as his most likely destination, while also expressing openness to visiting Gaza as part of the potential Middle East trip.

Current Negotiation Status

The peace talks are currently being conducted through intermediaries, with Egypt and Qatar serving as go-betweens for Israel and Hamas. The negotiations are taking place in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, where Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, participated in meetings Wednesday. These discussions center around a 20-point peace proposal that President Trump unveiled during a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late last month.

Administration's Diplomatic Approach

President Trump emphasized that negotiations with Hamas represent the "final negotiation" in the peace process, noting that discussions "seem to be going well." The president has urged his negotiators to "move fast" in reaching an agreement. Last Friday, Hamas indicated it had accepted some elements from the U.S.-led peace proposal, which includes a provision for Hamas to release remaining hostages within 72 hours during the first phase of implementation.

Context and Timing Considerations

The potential presidential trip comes at a complex time, both internationally and domestically. Tuesday marked two years since Hamas launched its terrorist attack on Israel, an event that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the kidnapping of about 251 civilians. Domestically, the potential foreign policy trip would occur amid an ongoing federal government shutdown, with the House out of session and the Senate unable to pass legislation to reopen the government.

The president's consideration of visiting Gaza represents a significant diplomatic move, potentially marking the first time a sitting U.S. president would visit the territory during active peace negotiations. As White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed, following the president's scheduled visit to Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday, "President Trump is considering going to the Middle East shortly thereafter." The administration continues to monitor negotiation progress to determine the final travel schedule.