Trump: Progress with Iran, Urgent Push to Calm Gaza Conflict
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that diplomatic efforts with Iran are moving forward, with the possibility of a major development on the horizon regarding Tehranโs nuclear program.
Speaking to reporters on the tarmac at Morristown Airport before heading back to Washington, Trump described the recent discussions with Iran as โvery goodโ and hinted that the negotiations could soon yield tangible results.
โWe had some very good talks with Iran yesterday and today,โ Trump said. โLetโs see what happens, but I think we could have some good news on the Iran front.โ He emphasized that the talks are aimed at preventing further military escalation, expressing hope for a peaceful resolution. โIโd love to see no bombs dropped and a lot of people saved. I really would like to see that happen,โ he added.
Trump also addressed the conflict in Gaza, where violence between Israel and Hamas continues. He confirmed that the U.S. is engaged in ongoing discussions with both sides. โWeโre talking to Hamas, weโre talking to Israel. We want to bring this situation to an end as quickly as possible,โ he stated.
The remarks came after what the president described as a weekend of โvery, very good talksโ on both fronts, signaling a dual-track U.S. diplomatic effort to reduce regional tensions.
Israel Prepares to Celebrate 58 Years Since Reunification of Jerusalem
Israel is set to commemorate Jerusalem Day on Monday, marking 58 years since the historic reunification of the city and the liberation of Judea and Samaria during the Six-Day War in 1967.
Celebrations began Sunday evening with a public prayer service and the ceremonial display of a massive Israeli flag at the Western Wall Plaza, an event attended by religious and public figures. Festivities continue Monday with a special morning service at the Western Wall, a national educational broadcast for schoolchildren, and the annual Flag March through the capitalโs Old City.
Despite the ongoing war in Gaza, Israeli authorities have approved the traditional route of the parade. It will start at the Jerusalem Great Synagogue, pass through Damascus Gate, and conclude at the Western Wall. Thousands of police officers are expected to secure the event.
Two state memorial ceremonies will also be held at Mount Herzl: one in honor of Ethiopian Jews who perished en route to Israel, and another for fallen soldiers of the Six-Day War and the War of Attrition.
Jerusalem Day, observed on the 28th of Iyar in the Hebrew calendar, holds deep national and spiritual importance for Jews worldwide. The 1967 military victory brought Jerusalem under unified Israeli control for the first time in nearly two millennia and resulted in territorial gains including the Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula, and Gaza Strip.
In a video message, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee reaffirmed Americaโs support, saying, โYour fight is our fight. Israelโs victory is our victory.โ He praised the Trump administrationโs recognition of Jerusalem as Israelโs capital and the embassy move as milestones in U.S.-Israel relations.
IDF Chief: Hamas Control in Gaza Crumbling Under Pressure
Hamas has lost most of its command structure and assets in Gaza, according to Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who toured the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis on Sunday.
Addressing IDF troops on the ground, Zamir said Hamas is โunder tremendous pressureโ and no longer maintains effective control over its forces. โWe are executing our operations according to a comprehensive plan,โ he stated. โThis is not an endless warโwe are focused on achieving our objectives swiftly and decisively.โ
He praised Israeli soldiers for their recent success in dismantling Hamasโs Rafah Brigade and called on them to maintain momentum against the Khan Yunis Brigade. Zamir also reminded troops of the October 7 terror attack, which he said justifies the current campaign to dismantle Hamasโs rule.
โYou are performing exceptional work here,โ he told the forces. โYou have my full support.โ
The militaryโs ongoing campaign, dubbed โOperation Gideonโs Chariots,โ launched on May 16, targets remaining Hamas and Islamic Jihad strongholds in Gaza. Over the weekend, IDF units reportedly destroyed key terror infrastructure, including booby-trapped buildings and weapons depots.
The Israeli Air Force also struck over 100 sites, hitting Hamas fighters, command centers, and tunnel systems. Meanwhile, a Hamas naval commando who took part in the October 7 attack was killed in a joint operation involving multiple branches of Israelโs defense establishment.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israelโs ground campaign will continue until Hamas is disarmed and its leadership neutralized. โWe seek lasting security control over Gaza,โ he said.
