USA
Israel has agreed to 60-day Gaza ceasefire, Trump says
The reported deal is said to allow Hamas to hold onto a limited number of hostages
July 2, 2025 09:55
The reported deal is said to allow Hamas to hold onto a limited number of hostages
July 2, 2025 09:55Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, according to US President Donald Trump.
Speaking to reporters yesterday afternoon, claimed that his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, "wants to end the war” in the Strip and suggested that a truce could come soon.
"We hope it’s going to happen. And we’re looking forward to it happening some time next week," he added.
Later that day, Trump claimed that Israel had agreed to the "necessary conditions" to implement a 60-day ceasefire, but that Hamas approval was still needed.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the president wrote: “My representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza.
"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.
"The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. 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.”
Neither Israel nor Hamas have commented on the announcement thus far.
The Qatar-Egyptian deal Trump referenced is understood to be similar to a reported proposal developed in conjunction with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff last month.
According to Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, the deal would see eight living hostages released from Gaza on the first day of the ceasefire, with another two following on its 50th day.
It would also reportedly include the release of the remains of 18 Israeli in three phases, though no timeline was specified.
However, this would allow Hamas to hold onto the remains of a dozen hostages and an estimated ten living captives.
Latest reports also suggest that Hamas is unlikely to agree to any truce that does not include a commitment from Israel not to restart the war and at least a partial withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza – both of which are sed to be red lines for Jerusalem while hostages remain in the Strip.
Meanwhile, the IDF has issued a number of evacuation orders for northern Gaza and intensified its operations in Gaza City, with a military spokesperson confirming that several pieces of terrorist command infrastructure had been dismantled.
The military has also launched an investigation following reports of civilian casualties in an airstrike on a seaside cafe near the city, which it said was targeting terrorists.