Trump says Israel accepts 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal

Wednesday 02 July 2025 - 07:30

By: Zahouani Ilham

Trump says Israel accepts 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel has accepted the terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, urging Hamas to also agree to the deal. Trump stated that his team met with Israeli officials to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington.

According to Trump, the proposal which involves mediators from Qatar and Egypt is the final offer aimed at halting the fighting and initiating broader peace efforts. “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,” he wrote on social media. He warned Hamas that rejecting the deal could lead to worse outcomes, emphasizing that this may be the last chance for a peaceful resolution.

Trump also mentioned that he would adopt a firm stance with Netanyahu during their scheduled meeting on July 7. He believes the end of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran which followed U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites presents a crucial opportunity to broker peace.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, violence in Gaza has intensified. Gaza's civil defense reported at least 26 people killed by Israeli forces on Tuesday. The Israeli military confirmed expanding its operations across Gaza, targeting Hamas infrastructure and claiming to have eliminated dozens of fighters.

Civilians in areas such as Gaza City’s Shujaiya district reported increased airstrikes and tank movements. Resident Raafat Halles expressed concern that each time a ceasefire is discussed, violence worsens. Images from the region showed tanks positioned along the border, and families mourning at hospitals overwhelmed by casualties.

The humanitarian crisis is deepening. The International Committee of the Red Cross voiced alarm over escalating violence in Gaza City and Jabaliya, noting that most hospitals have been shut down or heavily damaged. Aid workers reported that at least 16 people were killed near aid distribution centers, with others dying in separate incidents. The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots to deter civilians from approaching troops, claiming no knowledge of any injuries, though it pledged to investigate.

Amid criticism of a new aid distribution system backed by the U.S. and Israel, 169 aid organizations called for a return to the previous UN-led mechanism. They claim the current system is contributing to civilian deaths. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, responsible for the new scheme, distanced itself from reports of fatalities near its centers.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu confirmed his plans to meet Trump and senior U.S. officials, facing growing international pressure to stop the conflict and secure the release of hostages. During a visit to a migrant facility in Florida, Trump said Netanyahu also wants to end the fighting.

A Hamas official, Taher al-Nunu, stated that the group is open to any proposal that ensures a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli forces but acknowledged that no breakthrough has been achieved so far.