U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to the terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, urging Hamas to accept the proposed deal before conditions deteriorate further. This development comes ahead of his planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week, signaling an escalation of pressure on both the Israeli government and Hamas to reach a ceasefire and hostage agreement.

According to Mr. Trump’s social media statements, his representatives engaged in a "long and productive meeting" with Israeli officials concerning Gaza. During these discussions, Israel reportedly agreed to the "necessary conditions to finalise the 60-day CEASEFIRE," a period during which efforts would be made by all parties to bring an end to the ongoing conflict. The final proposal, as stated by Trump, is expected to be delivered to Hamas by mediating officials from Qatar and Egypt. Trump unequivocally warned, "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."

This renewed push for a truce brings fresh hope for an end to the 20-month war, which has severely impacted Gaza following Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel. That attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and approximately 250 hostages being taken. Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry reports that over 56,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, although their count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The conflict has also led to a severe hunger crisis, the displacement of Gaza's entire population, and accusations of genocide and war crimes against Israel, which the country denies.

Previous ceasefire efforts, including an eight-week truce during the end of the previous U.S. presidency, failed as Israel resumed military operations in March after attempts to secure new terms from Hamas. Current ceasefire talks remain stalled primarily over the fundamental disagreement regarding whether the war should end as part of any deal. Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi has accused Mr. Netanyahu of hindering progress by insisting on a temporary agreement that would secure the release of only 10 hostages. In response, Omer Dostri, a spokesperson for Mr. Netanyahu, countered that "Hamas was the only obstacle to ending the war."

Hamas maintains its willingness to free all remaining hostages in exchange for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and a definitive end to the war in Gaza. Israel, however, rejects this proposition, asserting it will only agree to end the conflict if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and goes into exile—conditions that the group has consistently refused. Despite these entrenched positions, the U.S. has proposed a 60-day ceasefire that would include the release of half the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the remains of other Palestinians. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed Israel's agreement to this U.S.-proposed deal, placing the onus on Hamas for its acceptance. U.S. officials, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance, were reportedly involved in the crucial meetings with Israeli counterparts like Ron Dermer.