Trump Pushes 60-Day Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas Amid New Middle East Tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to the terms of a new 60-day ceasefire deal with Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza. Though Hamas has not yet accepted the offer, the proposed agreement could mark a critical step toward ending over 20 months of deadly conflict in the region.

The ceasefire details are still being finalized, with key mediation efforts led by Egypt and Qatar. According to Trump, the goal is to use these two months to push both sides toward a lasting resolution. The announcement comes just days before Trump is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, and shortly after U.S. and Israeli strikes hit nuclear sites in Iran, a key backer of Hamas.

Under the current proposal, Hamas would release 10 more hostages, with eight to be freed on the first day of the ceasefire and two more at the end. In return, Israel would partially withdraw troops from certain areas in Gaza and allow more humanitarian aid into the war-torn territory. The United Nations, the Palestinian Red Crescent, and the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund would coordinate the aid.

While Israel appears to be on board with the terms, it has not agreed to a complete withdrawal from positions it held earlier this year. Some Israeli officials have confirmed that any military pullback will be limited and conditional. They also made clear that Israel is not formally committing to end the war at this stage, even as diplomatic talks continue.

Hamas, on the other hand, is expected to review the proposal in coordination with other Palestinian factions. One breakthrough is the resolution of a long-standing dispute over how aid will be distributed inside Gaza, an issue that has previously stalled negotiations.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a deadly attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and capturing around 250 hostages. Although some of those hostages have since been released, around 50 remain in Hamas custody, with only a portion believed to be still alive.

The region’s changing political and military dynamics have also affected the ceasefire talks. Iran’s reduced influence after a major military setback and Trump’s pressure on Israel to scale down its response to Iranian attacks have shifted the tone of negotiations. Some diplomats say this gives Hamas hope that the United States will help guarantee any future agreement.

Even if a temporary truce is achieved, significant challenges remain. Israel has stated that Hamas cannot govern Gaza after the conflict, and a new plan proposes that a neutral Palestinian group, called the Community Support Committee, take control instead.

For now, both sides face pressure to seize what some see as a rare opportunity for peace, even if it may only last 60 days.