Hope Rises in Gaza as U.S. President Trump Announces Israel’s Acceptance of Ceasefire Terms

 In a development that has sparked cautious optimism in Gaza, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions for a proposed 60-day ceasefire in the war-ravaged enclave. The announcement follows what Trump described as a “long and productive” meeting between his representatives and Israeli officials.

According to the President’s statement on social media, a “final” ceasefire proposal will now be conveyed to Hamas through mediators Qatar and Egypt. Trump noted that the ceasefire would serve as a window to pursue a broader end to the ongoing war, which has stretched on for nearly two years.

For civilians in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation remains dire, even the prospect of a temporary pause has brought a sense of relief. “I hope it works this time,” said Kamal, a Gaza City resident. “Even two months of calm could save thousands of lives.”

Tamer Al-Burai, a local businessman, echoed the sentiment: “We are living the most difficult days. People want an end to the war, an end to the starvation and humiliation. There is no room left for more failure.”

Despite the announcement, neither Israel nor Hamas issued an official response immediately. A Hamas official declined to comment, while sources close to the group indicated that internal consultations were underway to seek further clarification before delivering a formal reply.

The ceasefire plan appears to be part of a broader regional strategy. U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, coupled with a recent truce in that separate conflict, seem to have created diplomatic momentum that Washington is now channeling toward resolving the Gaza crisis. Israeli leadership reportedly views Iran’s weakened position as an opportunity for regional states to advance normalization with Israel.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed support for a deal that includes the release of hostages held by Hamas. Writing on X, Saar said, “If there is an opportunity to do so—we must not miss it!” Of the 50 hostages believed to be still held by Hamas, only around 20 are thought to be alive.

Meanwhile, domestic pressure is mounting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire. Hardline factions within his ruling coalition remain opposed, but opposition leader Yair Lapid has offered parliamentary support to back any ceasefire agreement, promising to shield the government from collapse if right-wing allies defect.

At the end of May, Hamas had rejected key elements of a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan, seeking revisions. The original terms included a 60-day truce, the phased release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and a roadmap to end the war.

While the diplomatic process inches forward, violence on the ground continues. Gaza health authorities reported that at least 20 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes and gunfire across the north and south of the Strip late Tuesday. In response, the Israeli military reiterated that its operations are focused on neutralizing Hamas’ military infrastructure and minimizing civilian casualties, without commenting on specific incidents.

The war, now in its 21st month, began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 incursion into Israel, in which 1,200 people—mostly civilians—were killed, and 251 hostages were taken. Israel’s ensuing military campaign has resulted in over 56,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities, and displaced nearly the entire population of 2.3 million. The United Nations estimates that more than 80% of Gaza’s territory is now either militarized or under active evacuation orders.

As the situation teeters between further escalation and a potential breakthrough, the coming days will be critical in determining whether diplomacy can prevail over conflict in one of the most volatile regions of the world.