US President Donald Trump has asserted that Israel is prepared to agree to a peace deal with Hamas in a bid to arrange a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, which has resulted in the loss of nearly 60,000 lives.
In his message on Truth Social, Trump stated: “Israel has consented to the necessary stipulations to conclude a 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which period we will collaborate with all sides to terminate the War.”
He announced that Qatar and Egypt’s representatives will present “this final proposal” to Hamas without immediate official responses from either Israel or Hamas.
There is uncertainty regarding the specific conditions Israel has agreed upon, and Trump’s previous assertions of Israel’s readiness for ending the conflict, including a ceasefire negotiation before his inauguration, have quickly fallen through as both sides accuse each other of violating agreements on prisoner exchanges.
However, Trump’s statement follows his successful mediation of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and coincides with Israel’s strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer’s, meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
“The Qatari and Egyptian parties, who have worked diligently to promote peace, will present this final proposition. It is my hope, for the benefit of the Middle East, that Hamas accepts this agreement because they will not find a better one—IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” Trump wrote.
Trump expressed optimism earlier that a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement could be reached next week between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza. He plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday.
Trump and his team appear to be leveraging the momentum from recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran nuclear sites, as well as a ceasefire established last week in that conflict, to achieve a lasting truce in Gaza.
During his visit to Florida, Trump stated he would be “very firm” with Netanyahu regarding the urgent need for a Gaza ceasefire, with hopes for it to happen next week. “We want to release the hostages,” he affirmed.
Hamas has indicated a willingness to release the remaining hostages in Gaza as part of any agreement to end the war, while Israel insists that the war can only conclude if Hamas is disarmed and disbanded. Neither side shows much inclination to shift from their entrenched positions.
Discussion of a “final proposal” for a ceasefire follows an Israeli attack on the Al-Baqa cafe in Gaza, which medical and other officials said resulted in between 24 to 36 deaths, including children.
The Israel-Gaza war initiated after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, causing 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and capturing 251 hostages.
Israel’s ensuing military campaign has claimed over 56,500 Palestinian lives, largely civilians, displaced almost the entire population of 2.3 million, and reduced much of the territory to debris. Experts believe the actual death toll may be higher than reported.
