Trump says Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire, warns Hamas rejection will worsen crisis

US President Donald Trump claimed that Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. He added that during this period, he plans to work with Egypt and Qatar to finalise a peace proposal, one that he insists Hamas must accept.

In a statement shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump said his representatives held a “long and productive” meeting with Israeli officials on the Gaza situation, during which both sides agreed on the ceasefire terms.

Trump emphasised that he will collaborate with all stakeholders to bring the war to an end within the proposed 60-day timeframe, with Qatari and Egyptian officials playing a key role in delivering the final peace terms.

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He urged Hamas to accept the agreement, warning that the situation will further deteriorate if they reject it.

While Israel will pause its military operations in Gaza, Trump said, "we will work with all parties to end the war,” Trump wrote. “The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope... that Hamas takes this deal, because it will not get better, IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”

Earlier, in a media interview, Trump expressed optimism that a ceasefire could be reached as early as next week. When asked whether a truce could be established before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the White House on July 7, Trump responded, “I want a ceasefire in Gaza, and I want Hamas to release the remaining hostages. Hopefully, that will happen, we can reach a ceasefire by next week.”

Check: Trump, Netanyahu eye Gaza ceasefire, aim to bring more Arab nations into Abraham Accords

Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the United States on July 7 and is expected to meet with Trump during his trip.

Additionally, on June 26, an Israeli newspaper reported that the Gaza war may conclude within two weeks, with four Arab nations potentially assuming administrative control of Gaza in place of Hamas.

Over 56,531 people have been killed, the majority being women and children, while 133,642 civilians have been injured. According to Palestinian authorities in Gaza, nearly 11,000 bodies are still trapped under rubble.