WASHINGTON D.C, 2 July 2025 – President Donald J. Trump revealed on Tuesday that Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, marking a potential turning point in the protracted conflict. The announcement, shared via a post on X by BRICS News (@BRICSinfo), comes after productive talks between Trump’s representatives and Israeli officials, with mediation support from Qatar and Egypt. The ceasefire, set to begin imminently, aims to pave the way for negotiations to end the war permanently, though skepticism lingers given past breakdowns.
In his statement, Trump urged Hamas to accept what he described as a “final proposal,” warning that conditions in the region will deteriorate if the group refuses.
“The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. 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 wrote. The deal includes provisions for a possible exchange of Israeli hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners, a key sticking point in prior talks.
The ceasefire announcement follows a recent truce between Israel and Iran, brokered with Qatar’s assistance, signaling a broader diplomatic push for stability in the region. Egypt has also intensified its efforts, having invited Israel for talks in Cairo last month to address the Gaza crisis. However, history casts a shadow over the new agreement— a previous ceasefire collapsed in March 2025 when Israel launched pre-emptive strikes against Hamas targets, citing security concerns.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, appointed by Trump, has been instrumental in the negotiations, leveraging his experience from an earlier, short-lived truce earlier this year. Around 50 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive, according to recent estimates. Mediators are focusing on a hostage-prisoner exchange as a cornerstone of the 60-day window.
Complicating the humanitarian landscape, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israel-backed initiative, faces mounting criticism. Over 170 non-governmental organizations have accused the GHF of mismanaging aid distribution, alleging it undermines neutrality and exacerbates the crisis. The foundation’s use of armed American contractors has drawn particular scrutiny, with some labeling the approach a “militarized model” that risks further displacement and harm [Ref web ID: 0].
Qatar’s mediation role, briefly suspended in November 2024 due to stalled negotiations, was reinstated following pressure from the U.S. and regional allies [Ref web ID: 6]. The tiny but influential nation has once again positioned itself as a pivotal player, hosting talks and facilitating dialogue between conflicting parties.
Reactions on X have been mixed, with some users expressing hope for peace while others, like @NematShaikh9, shared an image labeling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “wanted for crimes against humanity.” Critics, including @ihatecatzs, dismissed the ceasefire as a temporary measure, predicting Israel might violate it again, a sentiment echoed by historical data suggesting over 265 ceasefire breaches by Israel in past conflicts.
As the 60-day countdown begins, all eyes are on Hamas’s response and the ability of mediators to sustain the fragile truce. The international community awaits whether this deal will hold or dissolve into the cycle of violence that has defined the region for decades.