In a surprising move on July 2, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel has agreed to the conditions for a 60‑day ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict. He shared this news on his Truth Social platform, saying the proposal was now in good shape and ready to be sent to Hamas through Qatar and Egypt—two nations often involved in Middle East peace talks.
“Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60‑Day CEASEFIRE,” said Trump.“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 announcement comes just days before the planned meeting between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, scheduled for July 7.
What Exactly Is Being Proposed?
Although Trump did not release the full details, media reports suggest key elements include:
-
A 60‑day pause in fighting.
-
The release of hostages: possibly around 10 living and 18 deceased, according to some sources.
-
Use of this period to begin longer-term peace talks, involving negotiations on military disarmament and troop movements .
The plan is to have Qatar and Egypt act as intermediaries, delivering the final draft of the ceasefire agreement to Hamas, which controls Gaza.
Mixed Reactions: Both Hope and Caution
Israel’s Side
Trump says Israel’s leadership, including a senior adviser, informed U.S. envoys it is ready to sign onto the 60‑day proposal. However, details remain unclear—who will withdraw troops, what happens after 60 days, and how hostages will be managed are all unanswered .
Hamas’s Position
Hamas has not officially accepted the deal yet. A spokesperson confirmed they might be ready for a ceasefire, but only if it leads to a complete end to the war and a full withdrawal by Israeli forces.
They say a 60‑day pause isn’t enough unless it’s part of a broader, lasting agreement.
Experts and humanitarian groups are cautious. They say:
-
The human cost has been devastating: over 56,000 Palestinians and 1,700 Israelis killed since October 2023.
-
Gaza’s hospitals are nearly overwhelmed, and many civilians have been displaced.
-
Conflict continues on the ground—Israeli airstrikes are still active, and there have been new civilian casualties .
Why Now? Timing and Implications
There are several reasons this moment feels important:
-
Trump’s Diplomatic Push: Trump has claimed credit for brokering other ceasefires, such as one in the Israel‑Iran conflict earlier in June, and now wants another high-profile peace deal.
-
Domestic Pressure in Israel: In Israel, public protests about the ongoing war have grown. Political leaders, including Netanyahu, are under internal pressure to seek a pause—even temporarily.
-
Humanitarian Crisis: Aid organizations have repeatedly expressed alarm over Gaza’s struggling hospitals, food shortages, and uprooted families. A ceasefire could ease these problems .
-
Previous Failures: Past ceasefires have broken down when parties couldn’t agree on core issues like troop withdrawal or ensuring the truce lasted beyond a set time .
What Might Happen Next?
Here are likely steps following Trump’s announcement:
-
Qatar and Egypt will formally deliver the ceasefire proposal to Hamas.
-
Hamas will discuss the terms, focusing on withdrawal guarantees and a roadmap beyond the initial 60 days.
-
If Hamas agrees, Israel and Hamas may enter indirect negotiations during the ceasefire.
-
Trump and Netanyahu’s meeting on July 7 could either solidify or stall the plan.
Looking at Both Sides
-
If it works: A 60‑day pause could let hostages go home, bring hunger and medical shortages down, and build trust toward lasting peace.
-
If it fails: Previous agreements collapsed when either side felt betrayed. If Hamas isn’t convinced the ceasefire is a stepping stone to peace, and Israel wants only a short pause, the fighting could return even harder.
Trump’s announcement is being seen as a hopeful opportunity, but also as a tough test. The core question is whether Hamas will come forward with conditions or demands that Israel can accept—and whether both sides are genuinely ready to stop fighting and start building peace.
Right now, no official confirmations have come from Israel or Hamas. The plan still depends on diplomatic follow‑through and whether both sides choose peace over war. For now, the world watches. Will this 60‑day proposal bring calm—or just another failed pause?
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
