Trump Says Israel Agrees to Terms for 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to the necessary terms for a potential 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that the United States would collaborate with all involved parties to bring an end to the war during the proposed truce period.
• Trump called on Hamas to accept the deal, warning that “it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”
• He credited Qatari and Egyptian mediation efforts, stating they would deliver the final proposal.

Despite Trump’s announcement, the Israeli government has not officially confirmed acceptance of the deal’s conditions. Hamas has also not issued a response at this time. Trump’s statement comes ahead of a scheduled meeting next week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Trump said he would be “very firm.”

• Trump added that he believed Netanyahu was committed to ending the conflict, saying, “He wants to. I think we’ll have a deal next week.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is set to meet U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance in Washington.
• Separately, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told the BBC that Israel is “absolutely” ready for a ceasefire.
• Danon accused Hamas of “playing hardball,” stressing that more military pressure could follow if negotiations fail.
The return of Israeli hostages remains a critical issue.

• Around 50 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, with at least 20 thought to be alive.
• Danon reiterated, “The war will end when the hostages are back home.”

Negotiations between Hamas and Israel have stalled, though a senior Hamas official confirmed to the BBC that mediation efforts have intensified.

• Hamas continues to call for a permanent truce and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
• Israel insists the war will end only with Hamas’s full dismantlement.
Trump’s comments also came shortly after Israel ordered evacuations in northern Gaza in preparation for escalated military operations.
• At least 20 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a seafront café in Gaza City on Monday, according to medics and eyewitnesses.

The ongoing war began after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel.

• Since then, over 56,600 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

In a separate development, Israel is investigating reports of civilian casualties near aid distribution centers in Gaza operated by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

• Humanitarian groups including Oxfam and Save the Children have called for GHF’s shutdown, accusing Israeli forces of routinely opening fire on civilians seeking aid.
• Israel denies these allegations, asserting that GHF plays a vital role in circumventing Hamas interference in aid delivery.

The last ceasefire agreement in March fell apart after Israel resumed military strikes in Gaza, citing “pre-emptive” actions to prevent new Hamas attacks.

• A previous deal in January, designed in three stages, also collapsed after only the first stage was implemented.
• The later stages would have included a permanent ceasefire, release of remaining hostages, prisoner exchanges, and a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza