Trump announces Israel accepts 60-day ceasefire in Gaza
By : Krishna Mishra
Washington, Jul 1 (EFE).- United States President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Israel would have accepted a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and expressed hope that Hamas would also agree.
"Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60-Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. According to the post, Qatari and Egyptian mediators will present the final proposal to Hamas. "I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE," he added. The proposed truce and hostage release deal comes just days before Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday.
Trump wants to build on the momentum gained with the truce in the Israeli-Iranian war to reach an agreement in Gaza as well. According to local media, the proposal includes a 60-day cessation of Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Hamas releasing 10 hostages alive and handing over the bodies of 15 others. During that period, the two sides would negotiate a definitive end to the conflict. For the Netanyahu government, the end of the war must entail removing Hamas from power and dismantling its military wing. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamist group demands the total withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave. Since October 7, 2023, more than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 132,000 injured by the Israeli offensive on Gaza following Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel. EFE er/mcd