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Topics: Donald Trump, Gaza, Israel, Politics, News, World News
Madison Burgess
Topics: Donald Trump, Gaza, Israel, Politics, News, World News
The contents of a mysterious handwritten note Donald Trump was given during a press conference yesterday has been revealed.
On October 8, the US President, 79, was hosting a roundtable meeting with conservative influencers about 'antifa' - an anti fascist left-wing group who Trump has labeled a 'domestic terrorist organisation'.
Sitting in the White House dining room, Trump told those in attendance: "There’s nothing organic here about what they are doing here in the United States. I’ve seen the same signs here in DC and in London as well. It’s a big organisation, corporation, they’re running.”
However, the meeting was swiftly interrupted when the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, caught Trump's eye and walked over to deliver him the handwritten message.
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As reported by The Guardian, he said he had news for Trump, but it would have to wait until reporters left, before passing him the note.
The Republican leader then told the room: "I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we’re very close to a deal on the Middle East, and they’re gonna need me pretty quickly. So we’ll take a couple of more questions.”
Ten minutes later, he said: “I have to go now to try and solve some problems in the Middle East - although I’m very well represented by our secretary of state. He could probably do an even better job than me, but who knows.”
He added: "We don’t want to take any chances. So we’re going to go and do that."
The event coincided with the third day of peace talks between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas at an Egyptian resort, as part of the US peace plan for Gaza.
It was also one day after the second anniversary of October 7, which saw Hamas carry out brutal attacks on Israel and its citizens, which sparked the current conflict.
Nearly 1,200 people were killed during the incursion, and around 250 people were taken hostage into Gaza.
Israel’s military campaign, launched in retaliation, has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, has devastated Gaza and revealed fault lines in global politics.
It's since been revealed, as per an AP, that Trump's note said: "Very close. We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.”
Not long after the contents of the note were revealed, Trump posted on Truth Social, announcing he was 'very proud' to announce the first phase of a Gaza peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
He said that the warring parties have agreed to the 'first phase' of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners.
“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace," Trump wrote on social media.
He added: "All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!"
Hamas have kept hostages from Israel over the past two years, and their release could be key to ending the conflict, which has left thousands dead in Gaza.