"Trump says Israel open to Gaza peace deal to advance Hamas truce negotiations"

Donald Trump has stated that Israel is prepared to accept a peace agreement with Hamas as efforts continue to establish a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, which has resulted in nearly 60,000 casualties.

In a post on Truth Social, the former U.S. president wrote: *“Israel has agreed to the necessary terms to finalize a 60-day ceasefire, during which all parties will work toward ending the war.”*

He mentioned that representatives from Qatar and Egypt would present *"this final proposal"* to Hamas. Neither Israel nor Hamas immediately responded to the claim.

The specifics of Israel’s reported concessions remain unclear. Previous assertions by Trump about Israel’s willingness to halt the war—including a short-lived ceasefire arranged before his term began—have collapsed amid accusations from both sides of violations, particularly concerning prisoner exchanges.

The latest statement follows Trump’s earlier mediation in a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. It also coincides with reports of a meeting between Israel’s strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

*“The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked extensively to facilitate peace, will deliver this final proposal,”* Trump wrote. *“I hope, for the sake of the region, that Hamas accepts this agreement, as no better terms will emerge—only worse ones.”*

Earlier in the day, Trump expressed optimism that a hostage-ceasefire agreement could be reached by next week. He is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday.

Recent actions, including U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and a temporary truce between Israel and Iran, appear to be part of wider efforts to push for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

During a visit to Florida, Trump emphasized the urgency of halting the conflict, stating he would be *"very firm"* with Netanyahu on accelerating negotiations. *“We hope it will happen, possibly as soon as next week,”* he said. “Rescuing the hostages remains a priority.”

Hamas has indicated willingness to release remaining hostages under a broader peace deal. However, Israel maintains that the war cannot end until Hamas is disarmed and dismantled, leaving little indication of compromise from either side.

Discussions of a “final proposal” follow a deadly Israeli strike on the Al-Baqa café in Gaza earlier this week, which reportedly killed between 24 and 36 Palestinians, including children, according to medical sources.

The conflict began after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 251 hostages.