US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to a “final proposal” for a 60-day ceasefire in its war with Hamas in Gaza.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 1, via his Truth Social platform, Trump called on Hamas to accept the deal, warning that “it will only get worse” if they refuse.
He said the proposed truce could mark a turning point toward ending the war.
“My representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60-day ceasefire, during which time we will work with all parties to end the war,” Trump said.
Trump Says Israel Has Agreed to 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire
He added that Qatar and Egypt, who have been instrumental in past negotiations, would deliver the proposal to Hamas.
“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,” he said.
While the exact terms Israel has agreed to remain unclear, reports indicate that the proposal includes the release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the return of 18 deceased ones during the 60-day ceasefire period.
It is estimated that about 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israel believing nearly half are no longer alive. The release of the remaining hostages would reportedly come under a broader, permanent ceasefire deal.
Trump has previously claimed that Israel was ready to end the war — including a ceasefire plan negotiated before his inauguration in January — but those efforts quickly unraveled. Both sides accused each other of violating prisoner exchange agreements.
Hamas is yet to respond to Trump’s latest statement. However, it has previously expressed willingness to release hostages as part of a deal to end the conflict.
Israel, on its part, did not issue an immediate response. The country has consistently maintained that the war will only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled — a condition Hamas has rejected.
Trump’s announcement comes just days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit the White House on Monday.
Stalled Ceasefire Talks Prolong Devastating Gaza War
The new proposal also follows a recent ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar between Iran and Israel, after joint US-Israeli strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.
Some analysts believe Trump may be hoping that the weakening of Iran — a key Hamas ally — will increase pressure on the militant group to accept the current proposal.
Since the war began on October 7, 2023, following a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, both parties have shown little willingness to compromise.
Talks have repeatedly stalled, particularly over the core issue of whether a ceasefire should lead to a full end to the war.
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Hamas insists any ceasefire must include the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a formal end to hostilities.
Israel, however, demands the dismantling and exile of Hamas as a prerequisite for ending the war.
A previous ceasefire brokered in January fell apart by March, when Israel launched a renewed offensive before the second phase of that agreement could be implemented.
The war has taken a devastating toll. Since the conflict erupted, more than 56,000 Palestinians and over 1,700 Israelis have been killed.
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