Trump: Israel Agrees to 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire, Urges Hamas to Accept Final Deal
US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Israel has agreed to key conditions for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, calling on Hamas to accept what he described as a final opportunity to halt the ongoing war.
In a post on social media, Trump said his team had met with Israeli officials ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington next week.
'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 wrote.
He added that Qatar and Egypt, acting as mediators, would deliver the ceasefire 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 warned.
Earlier in the day, Trump said he would be 'very firm' with Netanyahu during their scheduled meeting on July 7.
Ceasefire Opportunity Emerges Post-Iran Conflict
The window for a potential truce comes after the conclusion of a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, which was triggered by a US bombing mission targeting Tehran's nuclear sites. Trump is eager to secure another diplomatic breakthrough, adding to recent peace accords brokered under his leadership.
Fighting in Gaza Intensifies
Despite diplomatic efforts, Israeli operations in Gaza continued with deadly results. Gaza's civil defense agency reported that at least 26 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday, as Israeli forces carried out intensified strikes across northern and southern regions.
An Israeli army spokesperson told AFP they were 'operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities,' confirming expanded operations across the Gaza Strip, which included the destruction of hundreds of Hamas infrastructure sites.
Raafat Halles, a resident of Gaza City's Shujaiya district, described the situation as dire:
'Air strikes and shelling have intensified over the past week. I believe every time a ceasefire is mentioned, the army escalates crimes on the ground,' he said.
AFP journalists witnessed Israeli tanks deployed along the Gaza border and civilians rummaging through the rubble of destroyed homes. In Gaza hospitals, scenes of mourning unfolded as families grieved over the bodies of their loved ones.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) raised alarms over the growing toll on civilians and the near-collapse of medical services in Gaza.
'Nearly all public hospitals are shut down or gutted due to months of hostilities and supply restrictions,' the ICRC said.
Gaza's civil defense reported 16 people killed near aid distribution sites on Tuesday, with another 10 killed elsewhere. The Israeli military claimed it had fired only warning shots at suspects near troops and denied targeting aid centers.
Aid Distribution Controversy
A coalition of 169 aid agencies has criticized the current US- and Israeli-backed aid distribution model in Gaza, blaming it for civilian deaths. They have called for a return to the UN-led mechanism that operated before March, when Israel imposed a complete blockade during earlier truce talks.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), now overseeing aid, has denied responsibility for the deaths near its centers.
Netanyahu's Upcoming Visit
Netanyahu confirmed plans to visit Washington for talks with Trump and senior US security officials as international pressure mounts to end the war and secure the release of remaining hostages.
Speaking from a migrant detention center in Florida, Trump said Netanyahu also wants an end to the fighting.
A senior Hamas official, Taher al-Nunu, told AFP the group was open to accepting any proposal that leads to 'a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of occupation forces,' but added,
'So far, there has been no breakthrough.'
TDT | Manama
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