Jerusalem/Cairo, July 2, 2025:
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to the “necessary conditions” for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, reigniting hopes for a possible pause in the nearly nine-month-long conflict. Posting on his platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that the U.S. is working closely with all parties to end the war, urging Hamas to accept the deal: “It will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” he wrote.
However, the Israeli government has not officially confirmed its acceptance of the terms. A Hamas official, speaking to the BBC, said the group is “ready and serious” about pursuing an agreement if it includes a clear path to ending the war.
The Palestinian side remains skeptical. A source close to Hamas’s negotiations in Cairo said the new proposal does not address the core demands rejected in earlier rounds of talks. These include the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, a guarantee of permanent peace, and unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
Despite this, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar posted on X (formerly Twitter) that there is broad support within the Israeli government for a framework that ensures the release of hostages. Roughly 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with more than 20 believed to be alive. Their release is a major sticking point for Israeli negotiators and a critical concern for the public, as regular demonstrations continue across Israel demanding their return.
Trump’s statement comes just days before his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where he has promised to take a “firm stance” in pushing for an end to hostilities. While Netanyahu has consistently maintained a policy of achieving “complete victory” over Hamas before considering a ceasefire, it remains unclear if mounting domestic and international pressure will shift his position.
Meanwhile, Hamas negotiators in Cairo, led by Ghazi Hamad, have reportedly not received any new terms from U.S., Qatari, or Egyptian mediators. Instead, the current discussions appear to revolve around reworking previous frameworks that have failed to progress.
The absence of a firm guarantee for a permanent end to the war, even after the proposed 60-day truce, continues to be a major hurdle. Hamas has also demanded a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces during the ceasefire and the restoration of full-scale humanitarian aid under UN supervision.
Back in Israel, officials have defended the military campaign as necessary to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, stated the country is “absolutely” ready for a ceasefire but emphasized that Hamas must return to negotiations or face increased military operations.
The humanitarian toll remains severe. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 56,600 Palestinians have been killed since the war began following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead. Civilian casualties continue to mount as Israeli airstrikes target densely populated zones, including recent attacks on a displaced persons’ camp in Khan Younis and a seafront café in Gaza City.
Aid operations remain highly dangerous. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by both Israel and the U.S., reported growing tensions at distribution points. Over 400 people have reportedly died trying to access aid, with human rights groups like Oxfam and Save the Children demanding the program be halted over alleged Israeli violations — accusations Israel strongly denies.
As ceasefire efforts intensify, the coming days could prove critical. Whether the current diplomatic push results in a genuine pause or collapses like previous attempts may ultimately depend on whether both sides are willing to make compromises — and if hostages, humanitarian relief, and military withdrawals can all be aligned in a single framework.
