Donald Trump says Israel has agreed to Gaza ceasefire terms
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The news: US President Donald Trump says Israel has agreed terms of a ceasefire in Gaza, though has not revealed details on the proposal.
The context: Taking to his social media account on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump urged militant group Hamas to accept his “final proposal” for a ceasefire, otherwise “it will only get worse”.
The US president said the proposed 60-day pause in hostilities would be used to negotiate an end to the war in Gaza, where Israel’s assault has killed at least 56,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.
It was not immediately clear what terms Israel had agreed to, nor whether Hamas would accept them. It comes after US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer this week.
A previous ceasefire collapsed in March, when Israel launched what it called “pre-emptive strikes” to neuter Hamas’ ability to “execute terror attacks, build up force and re-arm”.
That deal, which lasted two months, included eight rounds of hostage-and-prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas, which is believed to still be holding around 50 hostages in Gaza.
Hamas’ attack on October 7 2023 killed more than 1200 Israelis, mostly civilians, prompting the ongoing assault on Gaza.
Israel has escalated its attacks on the Strip in recent days, ordering an evacuation of its north before launching a heavy airstrike campaign.
Israeli forces have also reportedly opened fire on Palestinian civilians at newly-created aid distribution centres, run by private contractors and guarded by Israeli troops.
The UN’s refugee agency, UNRWA, has called for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to be scrapped after reports Israeli troops had 500 Palestinians seeking food at its aid distribution points in recent weeks.
The Israeli Defence Force has launched an investigation into alleged war crimes at the sites.
What they said: “The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope... that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The sources: ABC, Al Jazeera , BBC, Truth Social
