The United States appeared Saturday to be stepping up its diplomacy surrounding the war in Gaza, reportedly intending to send its envoy to Israel on a trip to mediator Egypt, as Palestinian officials in the Strip pleaded for Washington to clinch a ceasefire.

In a letter obtained by The Times of Israel, Gaza City Mayor Yahya al-Sarraj, together with Gazan business and academic leaders, appealed to US President Donald Trump to work toward a truce in the war between Israel and Hamas.

The signatories wrote in the letter to Trump: “You have the power to succeed where others failed, to stop the bloodshed, protect innocent lives and set the stage for a just and lasting peace.”

Al-Sarraj is affiliated with Hamas, as are all Gaza mayors. It was unclear if all the signatories were currently located in the Strip, though al-Sarraj himself has been present there in recent months.

Israel is currently conducting a major offensive to conquer Gaza City.

Trump’s administration........

© The Times of Israel