Donald Trump announced Israel's agreement to a 60-day truce with Hamas, although he did not provide any details about the terms of the potential deal. The statement on the social network Truth Social was made ahead of Trump's meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which will take place in Washington next week.
Trump reported that his representatives held a «long and productive meeting with the Israelis regarding Gaza», and that if a ceasefire agreement is reached, negotiations will be held for a permanent resolution of the conflict in Gaza. The proposal, supported by the US and Israel, will be conveyed to Hamas by Qatar and Egypt, countries that have long acted as mediators for the Palestinian militant group in its indirect negotiations with Israel to end the war in Gaza.
«I hope that for the sake of the Middle East, Hamas will accept this agreement, because the situation will not improve — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE», — wrote the US president on Truth Social.
Israel has not yet officially commented on Donald Trump's statement, but Elon Musk unexpectedly expressed his opinion. «Trump has indeed successfully resolved several serious conflicts around the world», — wrote Musk on his social network X after two days of mutual threats with Trump.
Netanyahu promised to fight Hamas until its complete defeat. However, he is facing growing domestic pressure to end the conflict by reaching a ceasefire agreement, under which Hamas would release the remaining hostages captured on October 7, 2023, during the attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza. It is believed that about 20 hostages are still alive, and the remains of about 30 more are in the enclave.
Hamas stated that it would release all remaining Israeli hostages only if Israeli troops completely withdraw from Gaza and a guarantee of ending the war is provided. Israel, for its part, insists that Hamas must surrender, disarm, and send its leaders in Gaza into exile.
Photo: The New York Times