CNN host Abby Phillip said on-air this week that a potential breakthrough in Middle East negotiations would be a significant [1] political win for President Donald Trump, as separate reporting indicated Hamas had signaled readiness to negotiate through mediators on a White House plan.
The remarks came during a panel discussion about efforts to halt fighting between Israel and Hamas and secure the release of hostages.
A partial transcript posted by Redwave Press on X captured Phillip’s comment: “If President Trump is able to [end the war between Israel and Hamas] this is a major — a major victory for him.”
The segment featured reactions from panelist Alencia Johnson, who said the prospect of Trump securing a ceasefire was difficult for some observers.
“It is challenging to actually hear that piece of Trump being potentially the one to get the ceasefire deal,” Johnson said.
Johnson continued by describing the humanitarian toll and her questions about the diplomatic path ahead.
“A lot of people are tired of the devastation that is happening to the Palestinian people, and so how do we figure out a way — a path forward?” she asked.
She added that she wanted more clarity about the administration’s approach.
“I would be interested to understand President Trump’s interest in this because he has said some things that are very harmful to the Palestinian people.” Johnson concluded: “I don’t know what his motivations are.”
Abby Phillip: “If President Trump is able to [end the war between Israel and Hamas] this is a major — a major victory for him.”
Alencia Johnson: “It is challenging to actually hear that piece of Trump being potentially the one to get the ceasefire deal.”
“A lot of people are… pic.twitter.com/o38kY1FPK4 [2]
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) October 4, 2025 [3]
The discussion followed reporting that Hamas had indicated a willingness to negotiate through intermediaries on a White House proposal.
According to NBC News, Hamas said it has agreed to release all Israeli hostages, “alive or dead,” conditioned on “the field conditions for the exchange” being met, and stated it was ready “to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement.”
In the statement cited by NBC News, the group also said it “renews its agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats), based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.”
NBC News reported that Hamas was responding to a 20-point peace plan President Trump outlined on Monday at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The proposal, as described in coverage of the announcement, is aimed at halting hostilities, securing the return of hostages, and establishing a framework for governance and security arrangements to be discussed through further talks mediated by regional partners.
Phillip’s acknowledgement of the potential political implications came in the context of the panel weighing how a negotiated end to fighting and a hostage release would be received in the United States and abroad.
While Johnson raised questions about the administration’s approach and its perceived impact on Palestinians, the comments on CNN centered on the significance of any agreement that leads to a ceasefire and the release of captives.
The segment did not provide additional details about the specific provisions of the 20-point plan beyond what had been publicly discussed at the White House earlier in the week.
President Donald J. Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict:
1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
2. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.
3. If… pic.twitter.com/veqhr9MW28 [4]
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 29, 2025 [5]
It also did not address timelines for talks, sequencing of hostage exchanges, or verification mechanisms for any ceasefire arrangement.
Those elements, according to reporting, remain subject to negotiations through mediators.
As of this week’s broadcasts and reports, the situation remains fluid, with diplomatic channels focused on whether the stated willingness to negotiate can be translated into concrete steps that halt fighting and bring about the release of hostages.
U.S. officials have said publicly that any agreement would involve multi-party coordination, including with regional governments that have previously served as intermediaries.
Phillip’s remark that a successful outcome would represent “a major — a major victory” for President Trump reflects the domestic political dimension attached to any high-profile foreign-policy breakthrough.
Johnson’s comments highlighted continuing questions from some political voices regarding motivations and policy contours.
The developing statements from Hamas, as reported, signaled an openness to discuss terms with mediators and referenced potential administrative arrangements for Gaza under a technocratic body supported by broader Palestinian and regional consensus.