Trump Proposes 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire Agreement \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Trump says Israel has reached terms for a 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal that he helped negotiate with Hamas, with U.S. support during that period. The plan includes phased hostage releases, partial Israeli troop redeployment, and expanded humanitarian aid overseen by international bodies. Both Israel and Hamas have yet to formally agree, as diplomatic details remain unclear.
Quick Looks
- President Trump announces Israel has agreed to a 60-day Gaza ceasefire
- Ceasefire terms include hostage release, aid deliveries, and troop adjustments
- Qatar and Egypt spearheading diplomatic negotiations
- Hamas must agree, or Trump warns of worsening conditions
- Previous ceasefire in January faltered before full implementation
- Netanyahu maintains no Hamas governance post-ceasefire
- Humanitarian aid to be administered via UN and Palestinian Red Crescent
- Gaza civilians report increased fatigue and suffering after prolonged war
Deep Look
President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to a new 60-day ceasefire proposal with Hamas, signaling a potential breakthrough in efforts to end more than 20 months of war in Gaza. As the current U.S. leader, Trump has made Middle East diplomacy a top foreign policy priority, using his administration’s influence to push both sides toward a temporary halt in hostilities.
Trump’s announcement came via social media on Tuesday, stating that Washington is working closely with regional mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to finalize the terms of the ceasefire. He warned Hamas that rejecting the offer would lead to further consequences, making it clear that the United States will actively support the deal’s enforcement.
The proposed ceasefire is an updated version of a framework previously introduced by Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. According to an Egyptian official involved in the talks, the plan involves Hamas releasing 10 hostages — eight on the first day and two on the final day of the ceasefire. In exchange, Israel would withdraw its forces from certain areas in Gaza and permit a surge of desperately needed humanitarian aid.
A breakthrough in the distribution of aid has reportedly been reached. Under the new agreement, the United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent will take the lead in aid operations, backed by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund — an entity supported by both the U.S. and Israel. This arrangement seeks to ensure transparency and efficient delivery of resources to civilians.
The war, which erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and captured around 250 hostages in Israel, has devastated Gaza’s population and infrastructure. Roughly 50 hostages remain in captivity, with fewer than half believed to be alive. The prolonged conflict has drawn international condemnation and calls for immediate resolution.
The ceasefire talks come on the heels of a joint Israeli-American strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Iran, a longtime backer of Hamas, has suffered a setback in its regional influence following the attacks. With internal instability mounting, Iran’s reduced capacity to support Hamas has left the militant group more isolated than ever before.
President Trump has taken a nuanced approach to the conflict. While maintaining strong ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump has also applied pressure on Israel to pursue diplomatic options. After last week’s Iranian missile attack, Trump reportedly urged Israel to de-escalate, sending a message that the United States seeks stability, not prolonged war.
Diplomats close to the ceasefire talks describe a unique opportunity emerging. One source noted that Trump’s firm but balanced stance has given Hamas a measure of confidence that the U.S. would act as a guarantor of any deal. “The indications we’re getting are people are ready,” the diplomat said.
However, military realities on the ground continue to complicate matters. Israel has yet to commit to returning its forces to the positions they held in early March, before the collapse of the last ceasefire. Since then, Israeli troops have captured significant territory within Gaza in an effort to weaken Hamas.
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the current agreement includes only a partial withdrawal and a large-scale aid operation. Importantly, the deal offers a pathway to broader negotiations — but does not commit Israel to ending the war.
Another major point of contention has been who will govern Gaza after any ceasefire. With Israel firmly opposed to Hamas retaining power, the new proposal suggests that governance be transferred to a neutral Palestinian body — the Community Support Committee — made up of non-political figures. This could pave the way for a post-conflict rebuilding effort free from factional control.
Despite these provisions, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu remains steadfast in his position. Speaking publicly on Wednesday, he declared that “there will be no Hamas” after the 60-day ceasefire, reinforcing his government’s goal of eliminating the group entirely.
This proposed truce follows a failed January agreement that established a phased ceasefire. Though it briefly allowed for hostage exchanges and humanitarian aid, disagreements over phase two — which called for a complete Israeli withdrawal and the release of all remaining hostages — led to the truce’s collapse in March.
For civilians in Gaza, who have borne the brunt of the violence, hopes are cautiously rising. Asmaa al-Gendy, a mother displaced by the war and now living in a tent in Deir al Balah, captured the desperation of many: “We are seriously tired. We’ve lived every form of torture in the world.”
With Trump set to meet Netanyahu in Washington in the coming days, the ceasefire proposal marks a pivotal moment. If successful, it could ease tensions and serve as the foundation for longer-term peace negotiations in one of the world’s most volatile regions. The eyes of the world now turn to Washington and Gaza — waiting to see if diplomacy can finally prevail.
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