Trump says Gaza ceasefire near as UN slams 'killing field' aid sites

US President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Friday that a ceasefire in Gaza could be reached soon, even as criticism intensified over mounting Palestinian deaths at food distribution centres backed by Israel and the United States.

Asked by reporters how close a ceasefire was, Trump said: "We think within the next week, we’re going to get a ceasefire."

Speaking at a White House event celebrating a peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, he said the Gaza ceasefire was "imminent", adding that he had just spoken with those involved in the negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

"We’re providing a lot of money and food to that region," Trump said. "We’re involved because people are dying. We’re seeing those crowds of people with no food, with nothing."

The comments come amid growing alarm over the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial joint Israeli-US aid initiative guarded by US security contractors and Israeli troops. UN officials say the system has become a "killing field", with Palestinians being shot while trying to access food.

"The new aid distribution system has become a killing field," wrote Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA.

"This abomination must end through a return to humanitarian deliveries from the UN including @UNRWA," he posted on X.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) called the GHF operation "slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid". Gaza's health ministry reported that at least 549 people have been killed near aid centres since late May.

The civil defence agency said 80 were killed on Friday alone, including 10 while waiting for aid. "People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. "The search for food must never be a death sentence."

This comes as Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that military commanders had ordered troops to open fire on Palestinian civilians near aid centres "even if they posed no threat".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, called the report a "contemptible blood libel" and rejected any allegations of wrongdoing, though did not offer any evidence to counter the report. 

Trump, meanwhile, linked the push for a ceasefire to recent US military action against Iran, saying: "I believe major progress is being made regarding Gaza, and thanks to the attack we carried out (on Iran early Sunday), I believe we will receive very good news."

A US source close to the mediation told The New Arab's Arabic language edition Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that talks remain stalled, with Hamas rejecting the latest proposal from envoy Steve Witkoff and Netanyahu refusing any terms that include the phrase “end of the war".

The source said Witkoff was willing to revise wording, particularly around Hamas's demand for guarantees, but not the substance of the 13-clause agreement.

"The only matter on which US President Donald Trump insisted on providing a firm guarantee and commitment was the continuation of the truce for the full 60 days agreed upon in the proposal," the source said.

Israel has been widely accused of carrying out a genocide in Gaza, amid continued backing by the US.

The Gaza Health Ministry says over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed, with other estimates giving a much higher figure. Tens of thousands of uncounted victims are believed to be trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings and houses.

The vast majority of Gaza's residents have been displaced from their homes.