US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Israel has agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and warned Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. Trump announced the development as he prepares to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House on Monday. The US president has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war in Gaza. "My representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalise the 60-day ceasefire, during which time we will work with all parties to end the war," Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. "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. Trump's promise that it was his best and final offer may find a sceptical audience with Hamas. Even before the expiration of the war's longest ceasefire in March, Trump repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would see the release of more hostages and a return of more aid to Gaza's civilian populace. Trump views the current moment as a potential turning point in the conflict that has killed more than 56,000 Palestinians in Israeli attacks on the enclave, according to health authorities in Gaza. The war began on 7 October, 2023 after Hamas militants staged an attack on southern Israel leaving some 1,200 dead. Hamas is still capable of landing fatal blows to Israeli forces, but Washington believes that the group's been significantly diminished as its centralised command and control capabilities have deteriorated over the course of the nearly 21-month long Israeli offensive. Additionally, Hamas' primary backer, Iran, was badly battered last month after 12 days of strikes by Israel and the United States targeting Tehran's nuclear programme, which both countries claim to have "obliterated". Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer was in Washington on Tuesday for talks with senior administration officials to discuss a potential Gaza ceasefire, Iran and other matters. Trump on Tuesday repeated his hope for forging an Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal next week. Asked by reporters on whether more pressure is needed to push Netanyahu to get a ceasefire deal done, Trump said the Israeli premier was ready to come to an agreement. "He wants to," Trump said, "I think we'll have a deal next week." Talks between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly collapsed over a major sticking point — a permanent end to the war as part of a ceasefire deal. Netanyahu has routinely stated that a ceasefire deal, no matter how long, will not bring an end to the war. The Israeli leader stressed the war on Gaza will only end upon the realisation of Israel's goals, namely the destruction of Hamas, expulsion of its leadership and its complete disbandment, all which the group rejects. About 50 hostages remain in the Strip under Hamas captivity, with less than half believed to be alive. Hamas says it is willing to free all the hostages in exchange for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops and an end to the war in Gaza. — Euronews
