Trump Presses Hamas to Accept 'Final Proposal' for 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called on Hamas to accept what he described as a “final proposal” for a 60-day ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, urging the group to act in the interest of the region’s future. The plan, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, follows what Trump described as “long and productive” talks with Israeli officials about ending the war.

Trump said Israel has already agreed to the ceasefire terms, during which negotiations would continue toward a permanent end to the conflict. He emphasized that the proposal being delivered to Hamas via Qatari and Egyptian officials represents the best possible outcome. “It will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” Trump warned in a social media post, calling on Hamas to accept the deal.

The proposed ceasefire includes the release of half of the remaining hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the remains of deceased Palestinians. Trump is expected to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further during their upcoming meeting at the White House, stating that both he and Netanyahu are committed to ending the war swiftly.

Despite Trump's efforts, a breakthrough remains uncertain. Hamas maintains that it will not surrender its weapons, while Israel insists that the war can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. The conflict, which began with the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages, has devastated Gaza. Over 56,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, and the entire population displaced, with the humanitarian crisis drawing global concern and legal scrutiny.