Israel agrees to 60-day ceasefire proposal in Gaza: Trump
US President Donald Trump said that Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire agreement in Gaza “under the necessary conditions”. During the proposed agreement, “we will work with all parties to end the war”—Trump made this information in a post on his Truth social account; but he did not specify the terms of the ceasefire. Trump wrote, “Qatar and Egypt—who have worked very hard to bring peace—will present this final proposal. I hope that Hamas will accept this agreement, because they will not get anything better than this—if Hamas does not agree, the situation will only get worse.”
On October 7, 2023, Israel launched a military operation in Gaza in response to Hamas attacks, killing about 1,200 Israelis. At least 56,647 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. It is not yet clear whether Hamas will accept the terms of the ceasefire after Trump’s proposed demands. Trump’s announcement comes ahead of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, where Trump said he would take a “very strong” position. “I believe Netanyahu wants a ceasefire in Gaza. I can say for sure that he does. I think we can make a deal next week,” Trump said on Tuesday (July 1) local time.
Israeli Strategy Minister Ron Dermer was scheduled to meet in Washington on Tuesday (July 1) with US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. Earlier, last week, a senior Hamas official told the British media that mediators had stepped up efforts to reach a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza, but talks with Israel remained stalled. Israel, on the other hand, says the conflict can only end if Hamas is completely destroyed. However, Hamas has long demanded a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. About 50 Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
