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By Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Israel has agreed to the terms of a proposed 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and warned Hamas to accept the deal before the situation deteriorates further. The announcement came just days before Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday for high-stakes talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.
"My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza," Trump said in a statement. "Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War." Trump added that Qatar and Egypt would present the final proposal to Hamas.
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Urging acceptance of the deal, Trump warned Hamas that rejecting it would have severe consequences: "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."
Why It Matters
The U.S. has stepped up diplomatic efforts in recent weeks, applying pressure to both Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement that also includes a mechanism for the release of hostages. Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer was in Washington Tuesday to meet with top American officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff, to discuss the potential truce, regional threats, and Iran.
What to Know
As of early July 2025, the latest official figures indicate that the death toll in the Israel-Hamas conflict has surpassed 56,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, with over 133,000 injured, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The initial Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, including Israeli civilians and security personnel. Since then, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reports that 891 soldiers have been killed since the onset of the conflict. This figure includes fatalities from combat operations, accidents, and other incidents across various theaters of the war, including Gaza, the West Bank, and along the northern border with Lebanon.
The ceasefire discussions came as humanitarian concerns in Gaza intensified. More than 150 international aid organizations, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International, issued a joint statement Tuesday calling for the dismantling of the controversial Israeli- and U.S.-backed aid distribution system in Gaza. The system has faced mounting criticism amid reports of disorganization and violence at food distribution points. Witnesses said at least 10 Palestinians were killed while trying to collect food, a tragedy that spurred the latest outcry.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continued across Gaza, with Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reporting at least 37 fatalities in southern Gaza. "Tents, tents they are hitting with two missiles?" cried Um Seif Abu Leda, whose son was among those killed. Grieving residents laid flowers on body bags as funerals were held.
Complicating matters further, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a strong warning after a missile believed to have been launched from Yemen was intercepted by Israeli defense systems. Air raid sirens sounded across parts of Israel, and officials reported two additional projectiles launched from Gaza. Though all were intercepted, Katz warned that Yemen could "face the same fate as Tehran," referring to the recent short-lived war between Israel and Iran.
Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office in Yemen, responded defiantly on social media: "Yemen will not stop its support for Gaza ... unless the aggression stops and the siege on Gaza is lifted."
A source familiar with the negotiations told Newsweek last week that President is seeking to sway Prime Minister Netanyahu toward agreeing to a ceasefire deal with the Hamas, following the truce that put an end to Iran and Israel's 12-day war.
"An agreement is very possible," the person told Newsweek. "The president is working very hard on convincing the Israelis that the time is right, now that they have finished with the issue of Iran."
What People Are Saying
Asked if it's time to put pressure on Netanyahu to get a ceasefire deal done, Trump said Tuesday the Israeli prime minister was ready to come to an agreement: "He wants to. I think we'll have a deal next week."
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir on Friday: "The operation in Gaza is the main arena. In the near future, we will reach the lines we defined for the current phase as part of operation 'Gideon's Chariots.' From there, operational options will be developed and presented to the political echelon."
"We will continue to act with determination in order to achieve the two main objectives of the war—the return of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas," he added.
Hamas Political Bureau member and spokesperson Basem Naim, responding to a ceasefire proposal on May 30: "Upon careful examination, it is clear that the Israeli response fundamentally seeks to entrench the occupation and perpetuate policies of killing and starvation, even during what is supposed to be a period of temporary de-escalation."
What Happens Next
Though Prime Minister Netanyahu has not detailed the agenda for his upcoming White House visit, he told his Cabinet that a trade deal would be among the topics discussed. Iran is also expected to figure prominently in the talks, especially in light of Trump's successful brokering of a ceasefire between Israel and Tehran.
As the region continues to smolder and humanitarian conditions worsen, all eyes will be on Washington next week to see whether diplomacy can deliver a long-sought truce—or whether Gaza's war will drag on into an even bloodier chapter.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Update: 7/1/25, 7:10 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Update: 7/1/25, 8:13 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
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