U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that there is “good news on Gaza,” hinting at progress in efforts to halt the nine-month war and secure the release of hostages. The remark came during a White House bill-signing ceremony attended by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, shortly before Trump was due to host Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for a private dinner. Trump did not elaborate, but the comment follows reports of “dramatic progress” in indirect talks taking place in Doha between Israel and Hamas, with Qatar and Egypt mediating. Israeli media said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorised additional flexibility, paving the way for a framework that would pair a cease-fire with a large-scale prisoner and hostage exchange. Negotiators are said to be discussing a 60-day pause in fighting, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of about 50 remaining hostages in Gaza in return for hundreds of Palestinian detainees. While sources caution that outstanding issues remain, diplomats involved in the talks told Israeli outlets that a deal could be reachable within days if momentum is maintained. The war, triggered by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 cross-border attack, has killed nearly 58,500 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authorities, and left large parts of the enclave in ruins. Israel says around 1,200 people were killed in the initial assault and that roughly 50 hostages are still held. A brief week-long truce in November secured the release of 110 captives; subsequent mediation efforts have repeatedly stalled.