Trump Announces 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire Agreement Terms \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump announced Israel’s agreement to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, urging Hamas to accept the deal or face worse conditions. The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt are finalizing the proposal, with Netanyahu set to visit Washington next week. The move follows escalating regional tensions and ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza.
Quick Looks
- Trump says Israel agreed to 60-day ceasefire, final terms pending via Qatar and Egypt.
- Hamas urged to accept deal or face deteriorating conditions, Trump warns.
- Netanyahu to meet Trump at the White House next week to discuss the ceasefire and regional issues.
- Talks have stalled over Hamas demands for a full Israeli withdrawal and war’s end.
- 150+ aid organizations criticize current aid delivery system amid deadly Gaza violence.
- Houthi missile attack from Yemen intercepted by Israeli defense systems.
- Iran remains a key concern, following recent Israeli-U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities.
Deep Look
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, placing the onus on Hamas to accept the deal or face what he warned would be “worse” conditions. The ceasefire proposal is the latest in a long series of attempts to bring a halt to the devastating conflict that has raged in the region for nearly 21 months and claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Trump’s announcement comes ahead of his scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week. With tensions in the region flaring again and a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Trump is positioning himself as a key figure in pushing for an immediate, though temporary, pause in the fighting that could pave the way for broader peace negotiations.
“Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE,” Trump posted on social media, noting that Qatar and Egypt—two key mediators in previous talks—will deliver the final 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.”
Trump’s tone was urgent, suggesting this offer was final. However, similar ultimatums in the past have failed to yield results, and Hamas remains deeply skeptical of any deal that does not guarantee a permanent end to the war. The group insists on a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a definitive cessation of hostilities in exchange for the release of approximately 50 remaining hostages, of whom fewer than half are believed to be alive.
Israel, meanwhile, refuses to end the war unless Hamas surrenders, disarms, and its leadership goes into exile—demands Hamas has categorically rejected. The fundamental disagreement over the war’s conclusion continues to derail negotiations despite mounting pressure from global leaders and humanitarian agencies.
U.S. officials believe Hamas’ operational capacity has been severely degraded. After sustained Israeli assaults, Hamas’ command-and-control infrastructure has crumbled, limiting its ability to launch coordinated attacks. Still, the group remains capable of inflicting damage, with intermittent rocket attacks and ambushes on Israeli troops.
Trump also cited the deteriorating position of Iran, Hamas’ primary backer. Iran suffered heavy damage from a joint Israeli-U.S. offensive last month that targeted strategic nuclear sites over a 12-day campaign. With Iran reeling and Hamas weakened, the administration sees this as an opportunity to secure at least a temporary calm.
The ceasefire push also coincides with increasing instability and violence in Gaza, where more than 56,000 people have died, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The latest Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis killed at least 37 Palestinians, and deadly chaos has erupted at aid distribution sites. Witnesses said at least 10 people were killed while seeking food, adding to the growing international criticism of Israel’s conduct.
In response, over 150 international aid organizations, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International, issued a joint statement calling for the dismantling of the U.S.- and Israeli-supported aid distribution system, citing its failure to safely deliver life-saving supplies. They accuse the system of being inefficient, chaotic, and in some cases, deadly.
“Tents, tents they are hitting with two missiles?” asked Um Seif Abu Leda, whose son died in one of the recent strikes. Mourners threw flowers over rows of body bags in a scene now all too common in Gaza.
Adding to the geopolitical complexity, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a missile that triggered alarms in Israel. The Israeli military confirmed all projectiles were intercepted, but Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, saying Yemen could suffer the same fate as Iran if such attacks continue. The Houthi media office responded defiantly, pledging to support Gaza until Israel lifts its blockade and ends its military campaign.
In Washington, Israeli Minister Ron Dermer held meetings with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff, discussing the ceasefire deal, the growing threat from Iran, and long-term regional stability. These talks are expected to lay the groundwork for Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the U.S., where Iran and Gaza will dominate discussions.
Netanyahu, addressing his Cabinet in Israel, offered no new details about his trip but confirmed that a trade agreement would be on the agenda. Observers expect the conversation to also address the terms of the ceasefire and Israel’s broader strategic goals as it weighs its options in Gaza.
Trump’s announcement signals a critical juncture in the conflict. If accepted, the 60-day ceasefire would provide much-needed relief to Gaza’s civilians, allow for humanitarian aid to flow more freely, and possibly lead to renewed diplomacy. If rejected, the conflict could intensify further, with Trump warning that future conditions would be even more dire for Hamas and the people of Gaza.
Whether this latest effort results in a breakthrough or becomes another chapter in the region’s long history of failed negotiations will depend largely on Hamas’ response—and whether regional and international actors can capitalize on this fragile moment.
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