Is the US inching toward ending the Gaza war?

US President Donald J. Trump’s approach to alleviating starvation in Gaza appears to be at cross purposes with Palestinian, Arab, and European efforts to end the 22-month-old war that has devastated the Strip.

While Mr. Trump has in recent days emphasised the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Gulf states and Europe focussed on ceasefire arrangements that could lead to a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mr. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in a move that could bridge the gap between the two approaches, this weekend told the families of Hamas-held Israeli hostages that the United States would seek a deal that would bring the 50 remaining captives home in one go rather than phased releases.

The Trump administration “now believes that everybody should come home at once, no piecemeal deals. That doesn’t work and we’ve tried everything,” Mr. Witkoff said. He added that Hamas was ready to disarm.