Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that Israel had agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, though the key factor remains whether Hamas will accept the terms.
Trump’s announcement follows behind-the-scenes negotiations and months of diplomatic efforts led by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and brokered by officials from Qatar and Egypt.
The Ceasefire Proposal and What’s at Stake
In his Truth Social post, Trump shared details of the proposal, stating that Israel had agreed to the conditions necessary for a temporary ceasefire.
The Qataris and Egyptians have been instrumental in delivering the ceasefire proposal to both Israel and Hamas. Trump expressed hope that Hamas would accept the deal, warning that the situation would only worsen if they didn’t.
Trump wrote: “Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War. The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”
According to CNN, the new proposal—backed by the Trump administration—was presented on Tuesday, following months of intensive diplomatic work. A source familiar with the discussions mentioned that Hamas must still agree to the terms, which include releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The Role of Qatar and Egypt
The ceasefire proposal has been shaped by Qatar and Egypt, who have played a crucial role in facilitating negotiations in the region. Qatar has also previously brokered a ceasefire between Iran and Israel after a series of US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.
Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are at the heart of the proposal. However, as the situation remains fluid, it is unclear whether Hamas will agree to the temporary truce.
Hamas has long pushed for a permanent ceasefire and insists that the war should end with Hamas in power—something Israel has made clear it will not allow.
Trump’s Role and Future Meetings
Trump’s announcement comes ahead of his planned meeting next week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu, who visited Washington for meetings with top Trump administration officials, has been weighing whether to pursue a ceasefire or continue escalating attacks on Gaza.
Trump stated, “I think we’ll have a deal next week”, referring to the discussions with Netanyahu. He also indicated that Netanyahu was intent on ending the war.
However, despite the new ceasefire proposal, agreeing to a temporary truce remains a major challenge. Hamas’ core demand—that the war ends with Hamas maintaining power—remains a key point of contention between the militant group and Israel.
But some signs suggest Hamas may show some flexibility on its long-standing demands, though agreement on terms is still uncertain.
Ceasefire Complications and What’s Next
While the ceasefire proposal offers hope, the ongoing conflict in Gaza presents significant obstacles to peace. The military situation in Gaza has evolved, with Israel’s military official noting that Israel has not yet achieved all its war goals.
As Hamas forces have dwindled and gone into hiding, it has become more difficult for Israel to target the remaining elements of the militant group effectively.
Despite the challenges, both Trump and Netanyahu are hopeful that the negotiations will lead to some form of resolution. With the ongoing volatility in the region, the next few days and weeks will be crucial in determining whether a ceasefire will hold or if the conflict will continue.