Donald Trump: There will soon be good news in the Middle East

Senior Israeli officials are convening to discuss critical decisions about the ongoing ceasefire agreement and hostage negotiations, as U.S. President Donald Trump hints at potential progress in the region.

According to Kan 11 News, the Israeli security cabinet is focusing on two immediate concerns: Thursday's planned phase of the agreement, which would return four deceased hostages for burial in Israel, and the proposed withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor next Saturday.

A senior Israeli official revealed that discussions are centered on maintaining momentum in hostage returns. Current proposals being discussed with U.S. officials include extending the ceasefire to enable additional releases. Israeli sources have termed this potential next stage the "fathers and sick" phase, referencing four fathers of children still in captivity and several hostages reportedly in serious medical condition.

However, the path forward remains uncertain. Another source close to the negotiations expressed doubt about extending the ceasefire without further progress in talks and providing Hamas with what they described as a "horizon."

The debate within Israel over the second phase of the agreement has exposed deep divisions. Those favoring an immediate comprehensive deal and those opposing it have both stopped short of fully articulating their positions on sensitive trade-offs between hostage recovery and security concerns.

As reported by Isreal Realtime, Caroline Levitt, White House spokeswoman, described her phone call with President Donald Trump after he viewed the photos from the Hamas ceremony of returning the bodies of Ariel and Kfir Bibas - "He was deeply shocked. I could hear it in his voice." Levitt added that "the president, I and all the other staff members had no words. Our hearts were torn. Hamas must be eliminated."

Trump commented on the situation, stating, "We will soon have good news in the Middle East," adding that "the sight of those babies was not acceptable to anyone ... Returning the babies' bodies to music is an unbelievable scene."

He also emphasized his position on ongoing negotiations, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would make his own decisions regarding the ceasefire agreement. "Bibi will decide whether to continue with the deal or return to war, I'm not telling him what to do and what not to do," Trump said.