US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Israel has accepted the terms of a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, an initiative that, if implemented, would represent the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the resumption of hostilities in the Palestinian enclave.
The president urged the Hamas terrorist organization to accept the offer, issuing a blunt warning: “It won’t get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”
The statements were published on the Truth Social network, following what Trump described as"productive meetings" with Israeli representatives. He said that Qatar and Egypt will act as mediators and present the final proposal to Hamas in the coming days.
The announcement comes in a complex political context. Just hours earlier, Trump had expressed his intention to be"very firm" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he will host next week in Washington. Despite this critical tone, the president emphasized that Netanyahu also wants to end the conflict:"Bibi wants to end the war. I want it to end too. But it has to be done intelligently."
Speaking to his cabinet, Netanyahu gave no further details about his plans for the visit, except to say he will discuss a trade agreement. Iran is also expected to be a central topic of discussion in Washington after Trump brokered a ceasefire between that country and Israel.
“My representatives held a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today regarding Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to end the 60-day ceasefire, during which we will work with all parties to end the war,” Trump wrote, stating that the Qataris and Egyptians would present the final proposal.
“I hope, for the sake of the Middle East, that Hamas accepts this agreement, because it won't get better, it will ONLY GET WORSE,” he concluded.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer was in Washington on Tuesday for talks with senior administration officials to discuss a possible cease-fire in Gaza, Iran and other issues.
Trump communicated directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the cease-fire, according to a senior White House official who insisted on anonymity to discuss Monday's talks.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff communicated with the Iranians through direct and indirect channels.
The White House has maintained that Saturday's U.S. bombing of Iran helped Israel accept the ceasefire and that the Qatari government helped broker the agreement.
Iran's foreign minister said Iran would stop its attacks if Israel did, although it is unclear what role Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's leader, played in the talks, as he had said on social media that he would not give up.
