Trump announces Israel’s acceptance for ceasefire, Hamas says it is studying ceasefire proposal

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iran-backed Hamas militants to accept what he described as a “final proposal” for a 60-day ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, to be conveyed by mediators from Qatar and Egypt.

In a social media post, Trump said his representatives held a “long and productive” meeting with Israeli officials about the situation in Gaza. He did not name them, but U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance were scheduled to meet with Ron Dermer, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump announced that Israel had agreed to the terms for a 60-day truce, during which the U.S. would work with all sides to end the war. Mediators from Qatar and Egypt will deliver the proposal to Hamas.

“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas accepts this deal, because it will not improve — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” Trump warned.

Speaking earlier at the White House, Trump expressed optimism that an agreement exchanging hostages for a ceasefire could be reached next week. He plans to meet with Netanyahu on Monday.

While Hamas has indicated willingness to release hostages as part of a deal ending the war, Israel insists the conflict can only conclude if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled — a demand Hamas rejects.

The current war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack in Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Since then, both sides have held firm to their positions.

The U.S. proposal envisions a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release half the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the remains of Palestinians held by Israel.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed Israel’s agreement to the proposed ceasefire and hostage deal, putting the responsibility on Hamas to respond.

Donald Trump speaking at the White House

Trump and his team appear to be leveraging momentum from recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and a short-lived ceasefire in last month’s conflict to push for a lasting truce in Gaza.

During a visit to Florida, Trump told reporters he would press Netanyahu for a swift ceasefire in Gaza, noting the Israeli leader also wants one. “We hope it’s going to happen. And we’re looking forward to it happening sometime next week,” he said. “We want to get the hostages out.”

Gaza’s health ministry reports that Israel’s offensive since October 7 has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, created a hunger crisis, displaced nearly all 2.3 million residents, and led to accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and war crimes at the International Criminal Court — accusations Israel denies.

Hamas says it is studying ceasefire proposal labelled ‘final’ by Trump

On Wednesday, Hamas said it was reviewing what Trump called a “final” ceasefire proposal, but insisted Israel must withdraw its forces from Gaza. Meanwhile, Netanyahu reiterated his aim to eliminate Hamas entirely, declaring, “There will not be a Hamas. There will not be a Hamastan. It’s over.”

Hamas Militants 

 

These statements underscored the deep divide between the two sides, offering little indication of imminent compromise, although Trump’s announcement raised cautious hope among some Gazans for at least temporary relief.

“I hope it works this time, even if just for two months — it could save thousands of innocent lives,” said Kamal, a Gaza City resident.

Others expressed skepticism about the durability of any deal, noting Trump’s past statements promising imminent peace. “We hope he is serious, like he was serious during the Israeli-Iranian war when he said it should stop, and it stopped,” said Adnan Al-Assar, from Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Growing domestic pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire, a move opposed by hardline members of his coalition. At the same time, strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and recent regional ceasefires have added pressure on Hamas.

Israeli officials believe that Iran’s weakened state could open the door to new diplomatic ties between Israel and other regional countries.

Foreign Minister Saar stated that a majority within Israel’s coalition government would support a deal releasing the remaining hostages held by Hamas. Of about 50 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, roughly 20 are thought to be alive.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said his party could provide parliamentary support for a deal, even if hardliners in the cabinet opposed it, effectively pledging to prevent the government’s collapse over a ceasefire agreement.

However, many Gazans remain wary of a short-term ceasefire. “We want a complete end to the war on Gaza, not another partial deal that ends in a month or two before fighting resumes,” said Samir Al-Masri, also from Khan Younis.

At the end of May, Hamas had sought amendments to a U.S.-backed proposal that included a 60-day truce and the release of half the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and remains, with the rest of the hostages to be freed if an agreement guaranteed an end to the war. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff called Hamas’ requested changes “totally unacceptable.”

Trump posted Tuesday that Israel had agreed to finalize the 60-day ceasefire, without specifying the conditions. A Hamas source said the group was reviewing the proposal and would seek clarifications from mediators before officially responding.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry reported at least 139 Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours. Among the dead was Marwan Al-Sultan, director of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, along with his wife and five children, medics said.

The Israeli military said it targeted a “key Hamas terrorist” in Gaza City, expressed regret over civilian casualties, and stressed that it tries to minimize harm to non-combatants.

The war, which began with Hamas’ October 7 attack — Israel’s deadliest day — has since claimed over 57,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza health officials, displaced nearly Gaza’s entire population, and left more than 80% of the territory under evacuation orders or Israeli military control, according to the UN.