Israel has agreed to the basic terms for a 60-day ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, as announced by US President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social. The proposal, according to him, aims to initiate serious negotiations to end the war in the Palestinian enclave.
“Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize a 60-day ceasefire, during which we will work with all parties to end the war,” the Republican US president stated via Truth Social, following a meeting between American and Israeli officials in Washington, which he described as “productive”.
Trump: Qatar and Egypt mediate Gaza war – pressure on Hamas to accept ceasefire proposal
Trump mentioned that the negotiations are being conducted with mediation from Qatar and Egypt, two countries with a decisive role in the developments. “The Qataris and Egyptians have made great efforts for peace. They will deliver the final proposal to Hamas,” he stated characteristically.
Addressing Hamas directly, Trump called on the Palestinian organization to accept the proposal, emphasizing that there will be no better agreement in the future: “I hope, for the good of the Middle East, Hamas accepts this agreement, because it won’t get better — ONLY WORSE,” he wrote.
How the 60-day Gaza ceasefire emerged
The proposal, which emerged after months of consultations under the guidance of Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, was submitted on the same day that Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer was holding meetings in Washington with American officials.
This move comes just days after Qatar’s mediation in a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, while the initial proposal for a Gaza ceasefire months ago had been rejected by Hamas.
President Trump told reporters that he will be “very firm” in his talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing optimism that the agreement will be reached next week. It should be noted that the American president has scheduled a meeting with Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday at the White House.
The Gaza conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to official Israeli reports. Despite proposals for a truce, both sides remain unchanged in their positions.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that the Israeli military operation after October 7 has cost the lives of more than 56,000 Palestinians, also causing a hunger crisis and internal displacement of the entire population of the region. There are accusations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies.
