By: Fern Sidman

In a dramatic announcement that could mark a turning point in the war between Israel and Hamas, President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday evening that Israel has agreed to a set of “basic conditions” that would enable a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, contingent on Hamas’ immediate approval. The development, disclosed via Trump’s official Truth Social platform, signals a potential diplomatic breakthrough in a conflict that has consumed the region and captured global attention.

“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza,” Trump wrote. “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.”

According to a report on Wednesday at World Israel News, the ceasefire proposal is now in the hands of Qatari and Egyptian mediators, who are expected to deliver the final draft of the agreement to Hamas leadership in the coming days. Trump’s post emphasized the urgency of acceptance: “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.”

While the Israeli government has not issued an official statement in response to Trump’s post, officials have not denied the accuracy of his claims. Sources cited by World Israel News suggest that negotiations in recent days between American diplomats and senior Israeli representatives — including Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer — have been intense but largely constructive.

Dermer is currently in Washington, where he is holding meetings with Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The visit comes just days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House — a summit that World Israel News reports will be heavily focused on finalizing ceasefire terms and outlining a broader plan for post-war reconstruction and demilitarization in Gaza.

This latest ceasefire initiative underscores Trump’s reemergence as a central actor in Middle East diplomacy, a role he had shaped during his first term with the Abraham Accords. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump made it clear that he intends to use his upcoming meeting with Netanyahu to press for a resolution.

“I will take a firm stance with Bibi,” Trump said, using the prime minister’s nickname. “He wants to end this war. I believe that by next week, we will have a ceasefire in place.”

According to the information provided in the World Israel News report, Trump has been personally invested in the Gaza negotiations, instructing his senior envoys to prioritize an agreement that ensures the safe return of Israeli hostages while simultaneously pressuring Hamas into disarmament talks during the truce window. The 60-day framework is seen as a critical bridge: a de-escalation period during which both sides could engage in indirect negotiations on the future governance of Gaza.

While optimism is growing in Washington, analysts remain cautious. As the World Israel News report pointed out, Hamas’ acceptance of the deal is far from certain, particularly given internal divisions within its leadership and skepticism about Israeli intentions. The proposed agreement would likely require Hamas to halt rocket fire, permit humanitarian aid, and engage in indirect talks on demilitarization — steps that could be politically perilous for the group’s hardline factions.

Trump’s warning to Hamas was unmistakable: “It will not get better — it will only get worse.” This statement reflects what many U.S. and Israeli officials privately acknowledge: that without a ceasefire, Israel may intensify its military operations in southern Gaza, particularly around the Rafah corridor, where Hamas’ remaining infrastructure is believed to be concentrated.

For Netanyahu, the stakes of the ceasefire are equally high. Domestically, the prime minister is facing mounting pressure from both the Israeli center — which wants a diplomatic off-ramp — and the far-right elements of his coalition, which oppose any truce that does not include the total dismantling of Hamas. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s long-running corruption trial continues to cloud his political fortunes, though Trump has rushed to his defense in recent days.

In a series of posts over the weekend, Trump described the Israeli leader as a “war hero” and dismissed the trial as a politically motivated “witch hunt.” As the report at World Israel News noted, Trump’s support may help Netanyahu shore up political capital as he navigates a precarious ceasefire decision that could alienate parts of his base.

If successful, the 60-day ceasefire would mark the first formal cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas since the most recent war erupted. According to sources briefed by World Israel News, the proposed truce would include provisions for a pause in Israeli military operations across the Gaza Strip, the release of a limited number of Israeli hostages in exchange for humanitarian aid and potentially minor prisoner swaps, intensified diplomatic engagement involving Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to create a post-Hamas governance framework for Gaza and security guarantees aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping during the truce window.

Observers note that this agreement, if realized, could reset the trajectory of Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy. But the risks of failure remain considerable. As the World Israel News report cautioned, “This is a delicate window — one that could close quickly if either side overreaches or stalls.”

With both the Israeli and American governments now aligning around a 60-day truce blueprint, the next move lies with Hamas. The coming days will reveal whether the Iranian-backed terrorist group is willing to recalibrate its approach in the face of mounting international pressure — or if the region will slide once again into the familiar rhythm of escalation and reprisal.

For now, as President Trump prepares to host Netanyahu in Washington, the spotlight turns to Doha and Cairo, where the proposal is being relayed to Hamas.