President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza – a development that mirrors previous proposals floated but never fully realised. A similar truce plan was discussed in May, and before that, in March, when a short-lived agreement fell apart after just one phase. Hamas had earlier dismissed the idea as a ploy to prolong the war under the guise of a temporary pause.
With Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepening daily, questions remain about whether this latest initiative can break the cycle of failed peace efforts.
The new proposal, reportedly mediated by Qatar, outlines the release of ten living Israeli hostages and the return of the bodies of 18 others by Hamas, in return for Palestinian prisoners over the course of two months. A further 22 hostages could be released if a longer-term agreement is reached. During the ceasefire, parties are expected to negotiate an end to hostilities and draft a post-conflict roadmap for Gaza’s future.
Critics note this plan bears resemblance to the phased truce between January and March, which collapsed due to stalled talks after initial hostage exchanges.
The core issue remains unchanged: Hamas demands a total ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli troops, while Israel insists on the dismantling of Hamas’s military wing and the exile of its top leaders.
However, new dynamics might tip the balance. The recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, hailed by Netanyahu as a strategic win, has given Israel’s leader a political opening to push for a truce, despite opposition from hardline coalition members. The war also drew direct U.S. military involvement against Iranian nuclear targets, sparking renewed American engagement in the region.
Trump, who re-entered office as the earlier ceasefire collapsed, now holds greater sway over Netanyahu following U.S. assistance in the Iran operation. Netanyahu’s visit to Washington next week may provide Trump with an opportunity to press for progress.
Both leaders also see potential gains: the weakened state of Iran may open doors for expanding the Abraham Accords. While a long-coveted Saudi deal remains on Netanyahu’s radar, a smaller-scale agreement with Syria is also being explored. Yet neither can advance without a resolution to the Gaza conflict.
