A Fragile Path to Peace in Gaza
Since October 2023, the Gaza Strip has witnessed relentless bloodshed following Hamas’s launch of Operation al-Aqsa Flood, killing over 1,100 Israelis and taking 250 hostages. In response, Israel began a sustained military campaign, resulting in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 56,000 Palestinians killed and nearly 2.3 million displaced.
Despite repeated international efforts, a permanent ceasefire has remained elusive. Temporary truces have seen the partial release of hostages and a brief halt in fighting, but renewed violence has continued. Now, a new 60-day ceasefire proposal, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, presents a renewed opportunity for de-escalation—if both sides agree.
Trump Confirms Israel's Approval of Ceasefire Conditions
In a major diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald J. Trump revealed on Tuesday that Israel has agreed to the conditions for a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas. Announcing the breakthrough via his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said his representatives had a “long and productive meeting” with Israeli officials.
“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 posted.
Trump urged Hamas to accept the deal, warning that the offer is likely the best it will receive. He credited Qatar and Egypt for their continued efforts in brokering peace and delivering the final proposal to Hamas leadership.
“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,” Trump added.
So far, no formal statements have been made by Israel or Hamas regarding the proposal. However, diplomatic sources indicate that greater clarity is expected following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington.
Netanyahu’s U.S. Visit and Military Tensions with Iran
Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington next week, shortly after declaring victory in Operation Rising Lion—Israel’s 12-day campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Netanyahu informed his cabinet that he would also meet key American figures including Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, and National Security Adviser Steve Witkoff.
The backdrop to the upcoming talks is the Israeli-American strike on Iranian nuclear facilities—an unprecedented joint action during the June conflict. On 21 June, American bombers reportedly used massive ordnance penetrators on Iran’s key enrichment sites at Natanz and Fordow, which Trump claimed had been “completely obliterated.”
Iran responded with Operation True Promise 3, launching ballistic missiles at Israeli infrastructure. The brief but devastating exchange left 985 Iranians and 29 Israelis dead. Although a ceasefire between Iran and Israel has held since, tensions remain high.
The Human Cost and Hostage Crisis in Gaza
As the war drags on, Gaza has borne the brunt of the devastation. In nearly 20 months of fighting, Hamas has released 148 hostages, eight of whom were found dead. Israeli forces have rescued eight hostages alive and retrieved 41 bodies, leaving an estimated 50 hostages still in Hamas custody—many believed to be dead.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to rise. More than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the densely populated enclave has been left in ruins. With over 2 million people displaced, most of Gaza is now uninhabitable, according to aid agencies and reports from the ground.
The West Bank has also seen spillover violence, with over 1,000 casualties reported since the onset of the war.
A Ceasefire or a Pause Before More Conflict?
The proposed 60-day ceasefire, if agreed upon by Hamas, could mark a pivotal moment in the Gaza conflict. Trump’s announcement signals renewed diplomatic momentum, backed by regional powers like Qatar and Egypt and buoyed by Israel’s tactical advantage after its campaign against Iran.
However, the ceasefire is fragile. Without a long-term political solution, the pause may be little more than a breather in an ongoing war. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, and deep mistrust lingers.
The coming week—especially Netanyahu’s visit to Washington—could decide whether Gaza moves toward negotiated peace or slips back into all-out war. The world now watches, hoping diplomacy prevails over destruction.
(With agency inputs)
