Trump Announces Israel’s Agreement to 60-Day Gaza Cease-Fire, Urges Hamas to Accept

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Tuesday night that Israel has agreed to the main conditions for a 60-day cease-fire in Gaza. The announcement raises hopes that the long and deadly conflict could finally see a pause.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump said his team held a “long and productive meeting” with Israeli officials. “Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60-day cease-fire, during which time we will work with all parties to end the war,” he wrote.

The president thanked Qatar and Egypt for their roles in the talks. He also called on Hamas to accept the deal. “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,” Trump said.

Despite the announcement, Hamas has not yet said whether it will agree. The group has often criticized Israel’s past proposals as attempts to buy time to continue military operations. Earlier this year, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said, “We will not accept partial deals that serve Netanyahu’s political agenda.”

This development comes just a week before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Washington. He is expected to meet with Trump at the White House to discuss Gaza and other security issues, including Iran. Recently, Israel and Iran agreed to a separate cease-fire after 12 days of fighting that included U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

The war began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking hundreds hostage. Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 56,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. About 50 Israeli hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza, with fewer than half thought to be alive.

Trump did not share details about the specific terms Israel accepted, leaving many questions about how the cease-fire would work. Experts say the plan may still face serious challenges, such as securing hostage releases and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches civilians.

The coming days will be critical. If Hamas rejects the proposal, the fighting could intensify further. For now, many are watching closely to see if this cease-fire could finally bring some relief to millions caught in the conflict.