Trump says there's a 'good chance' of Hamas hostage deal 'during the week'

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday there was a "good chance" of a hostage deal with Hamas "during the week," ahead of his upcoming meeting with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I think there's a good chance we have a deal with Hamas... during the coming week," Trump told reporters amid mounting pressure on the Israeli prime minister to agree to a ceasefire and end the war in Gaza after almost two years.

Netanyahu said Sunday he hoped his talks in Washington could "help advance" a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Trump and Netanyahu are scheduled to meet at the White House on Monday -- the Israeli prime minister's third visit since Trump returned to power in January.

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas were underway in Qatar Sunday.

"We've gotten a lot of the hostages out, but pertaining to the remaining hostages, quite a few of them will be coming out," Trump added.

He said the United States was "working on a lot of things" with Israel, including "probably a permanent deal with Iran."

Trump also repeated claims that U.S. strikes "obliterated" Iran's nuclear facilities during the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict.

AFP