Trump says there will 'probably' be an announcement on Gaza within 24 hours

WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that there will likely be an announcement concerning the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip within the next 24 hours.

"We're going to see what's happening. A lot of talk going on about Gaza right now. You know that, right? So you'll be knowing probably in the next 24 hours," Trump said, one day after teasing a "very big announcement."

Trump declined to specify what the announcement would concern when asked Tuesday, but said it would be "as big as it gets."

He maintained, however, that it would be "very positive," and could happen as soon as Thursday, the same time frame as the Gaza announcement he previewed.

It is not clear if Trump was addressing the same matter when he vaguely referred to the Gaza announcement, but his special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is reportedly slated to brief members of the UN Security Council on a US and Israeli proposal to facilitate aid deliveries in Gaza.

Earlier reports stated Israel's Security Cabinet recently approved an aid delivery plan for Palestinians in the enclave via private US security contractors based on handing over aid boxes to individuals.

The UN and all aid groups working in Gaza, however, have rejected the plan, arguing it violates international humanitarian principles.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month opposed the plan.

The Trump administration is reportedly seeking support from other countries while urging the UN to cooperate.

"To the best of our knowledge, this is an unofficial briefing done in the US mission," Greece's UN mission told Anadolu, as it holds the Council presidency for May.

The closed-door meeting comes days before Trump's Middle East tour, which includes a summit with Gulf leaders on Iran and Gaza.