WASHINGTON. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Israel has agreed to the terms of a proposed 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and called on Hamas to accept the deal, warning that conditions will only worsen if it is rejected.
Trump’s announcement comes ahead of a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, as the former president intensifies efforts to push both Israel and Hamas toward an agreement to end the conflict and release hostages.
“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 wrote on social media, adding that Qatar and Egypt would relay the final proposal.
“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.
The proposed deal, which Trump described as his best and final offer, may face resistance from Hamas. The group has previously rejected ultimatums, even during previous ceasefires. It continues to demand a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the war as a condition for releasing hostages. Israel, in turn, has said it will only end the war if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and goes into exile.
Trump views the current phase of the conflict, which has left more than 56,000 people dead in Gaza, according to the local health ministry, as a critical opportunity for a breakthrough. The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its casualty reports.
While Hamas continues to pose a threat to Israeli forces, U.S. officials believe the group’s command structure has been significantly weakened after nearly 21 months of war. Meanwhile, Iran, a key Hamas backer, was hit hard by recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on its nuclear infrastructure.
Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer was in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the ceasefire plan, regional security, and Iran with senior U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Earlier in the day, Trump expressed optimism that a ceasefire deal could be finalized next week. Speaking to reporters during a visit to a new immigration facility in Florida, Trump said Netanyahu was ready to strike a deal. “He wants to,” Trump said. “I think we’ll have a deal next week.”
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly stalled over the core issue of whether the ceasefire would lead to a permanent end to the war. About 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than half believed to be alive.
Trump’s announcement coincided with a joint call from over 150 humanitarian organizations, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International, urging the dismantling of the current aid distribution system in Gaza. They cited chaos and violence at aid distribution sites, including a recent incident where at least 10 Palestinians were reportedly killed while seeking food.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 37 people in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, according to Nasser Hospital. “Tents, tents, they are hitting with two missiles?” said Um Seif Abu Leda, whose son was among the dead.
Elsewhere, tensions escalated after the Israeli military reported missile launches from Yemen, which were intercepted by defense systems. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of potential retaliation, stating that Yemen could face the same response Israel delivered to Iran.
A Houthi official, Nasruddin Amer, vowed continued attacks unless the blockade on Gaza ends. “Yemen will not stop its support for Gaza … unless the aggression stops and the siege on Gaza is lifted,” he posted on social media.
Netanyahu has not disclosed specific details about his upcoming visit to Washington but confirmed he would discuss trade and, likely, regional security matters, including Iran.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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