Trump says Israel agrees to conditions for 60-day Gaza ceasefire
BBC:
US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has accepted the “necessary conditions” to finalise a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said all sides would work together to end the war during the proposed pause in fighting, though he did not elaborate on the specific terms.
“The Qataris and Egyptians have worked tirelessly to help achieve peace and will deliver the final proposal. I hope Hamas accepts it, because there won’t be a better offer — only worse,” Trump warned.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claims at least 56,647 people have died. It remains uncertain if Hamas will accept the proposed ceasefire terms.
Trump’s remarks come ahead of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, where Trump has pledged to take a tough stance. He also expressed confidence that Netanyahu wants to end the conflict.
Meanwhile, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is in Washington for talks with US officials including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance.
Although international mediators have intensified efforts to secure a truce and hostage release, negotiations between Israel and Hamas have so far stalled. Israel insists the war will not end until Hamas is dismantled, while Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Roughly 50 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive.
Trump’s announcement comes as Israel expands military operations in northern Gaza, where 20 Palestinians were reportedly killed in an airstrike on a Gaza City café on Monday.
The Israeli military also said it is reviewing reports that civilians were harmed while approaching aid centres run by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Over 170 NGOs have called for GHF’s closure, accusing Israeli forces of firing on Palestinians seeking aid — a claim Israel denies, insisting the group is vital to bypass Hamas’s influence over aid.
A previous ceasefire agreement collapsed in March after Israel launched renewed strikes, calling them preemptive actions against Hamas’s military build-up. That deal, which began on January 19, included plans for a permanent ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and Israeli troop withdrawal, but only the initial phase was implemented.