Trump says international Gaza force will deploy 'very soon'

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that a US-coordinated international stabilization force will deploy to Gaza in the near future, stating the force will be on the ground "very soon." During a White House summit with Central Asian leaders, Trump characterized the Gaza situation as "working out very well" and expressed optimism about the ceasefire despite reported violations.

Ceasefire Assessment and Regional Diplomacy

Speaking alongside presidents from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, Trump maintained that "peace in Gaza" is progressing positively and the ceasefire remains intact. The president also welcomed Kazakhstan's upcoming accession to the Abraham Accords between Israel and Muslim-majority nations, expressing hope that other Central Asian countries would follow suit to reinvigorate the normalization process.

Upcoming Syrian Engagement

When questioned about his scheduled meeting with Syrian President Ahmad Sharaa next Monday, Trump avoided direct response but praised the Syrian leader's performance in a "tough neighborhood." The US president noted that "a lot of progress has been made with Syria" ahead of the anticipated White House visit, the first by a Syrian president in eight decades.

Sanctions Removal and International Support

Trump acknowledged the complexity of lifting sanctions on Syria but revealed that the decision came following requests from multiple nations, specifically mentioning Türkiye and Israel. The US president's comments coincided with a UN Security Council vote to remove sanctions from President Sharaa and Syria's interior minister, marking a significant diplomatic shift toward the Syrian leadership.