Washington, Aug 27 (HS):

President Donald Trump will lead a pivotal White House meeting on Gaza on Wednesday as his administration presses for an end to Israel’s war in the enclave before year’s end, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced. The move underscores escalating American efforts to broker a settlement after months of mounting civilian toll and international outrage.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also set to meet Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar at the State Department later in the day, highlighting Washington’s accelerated diplomatic engagement.

Trump, who campaigned on promises of swiftly ending the Gaza war, has faced setbacks since taking office in January. A brief ceasefire collapsed in March after Israeli strikes killed about 400 Palestinians. Since then, Israel’s offensive has killed over 62,000 Palestinians, displaced Gaza’s population, and drawn accusations of war crimes and genocide, charges Israel rejects.

In recent weeks, harrowing images of widespread hunger, particularly among children, have amplified global criticism of Israeli actions.

Witkoff told Fox News that Wednesday’s session, chaired by Trump, would form part of a “comprehensive plan” for the war’s aftermath, though he withheld details. He insisted Washington expects the conflict to be “settled one way or another” by year’s end and suggested Israel remains open to indirect negotiations with Hamas, which has signaled readiness for a possible settlement.

The war began after the October 2023 Hamas attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 hostages taken, igniting yet another deadly chapter in the decades-long conflict.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar