Israel agrees to 60-day ceasefire proposal, Trump urges Hamas to accept

Israel has agreed to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire aimed at ending the ongoing war in Gaza, according to former US President Donald Trump, who has urged Hamas to accept the deal, reports BBC.

In a post on his Truth Social platform early Wednesday (July 1), Trump said, "Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalise a 60-day ceasefire. We will all work together to permanently end the war at this time."

He added that Qatar and Egypt—key regional mediators—are continuing efforts to finalise the agreement. "Hamas will accept this proposal for the good of the Middle East," Trump said, warning that the situation could deteriorate further without a resolution.

Negotiations over a temporary ceasefire have been ongoing for several months, with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly playing a role in the process.

However, talks have stalled in recent weeks. Israel has maintained its position that it must retain the right to conduct military operations in Gaza even during a truce. Hamas, meanwhile, has insisted that it will not agree to any temporary arrangement unless a permanent ceasefire is guaranteed.

Analysts suggest Trump's announcement may represent a renewed attempt to bridge the gap between the two sides, especially with Qatar and Egypt intensifying their mediation efforts.

The conflict in Gaza, now in its ninth month, has led to widespread destruction, tens of thousands of deaths and injuries, and a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis.