A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today that former U.S. President Donald Trump contacted Netanyahu and expressed his desire to end the ongoing war in Gaza as soon as possible.

The spokesperson added that Trump emphasized during the call the necessity of working to de-escalate and ensure calm is restored in the region, noting the importance of taking practical steps to achieve this quickly.

This statement comes amid the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip, where international calls are intensifying to halt military operations and avoid further loss of life.

No official comment has yet been issued from the U.S. side to clarify the details of the call or the actions that may be taken to support efforts for a ceasefire.

On another note, Yisrael Hayom quoted an Israeli official stating that estimates suggest negotiations for a deal between Israel and Hamas will be completed before Hanukkah "25/12/2024".

A Hamas leader also told "Al-Sharq" channel that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip is closer than ever if Netanyahu does not obstruct it.