Trump: ‘Deal Won’t Get Better’ as Hamas Mulls Gaza Ceasefire Offer
Trump says Hamas has 24 hours to respond to a U.S.-backed 60-day Gaza ceasefire deal, warning it’s the best offer they'll get. Israel, Qatar, and Egypt support the proposal. As Gaza suffers deepening crisis, Hamas says it's consulting factions before making an official decision.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) — U.S. President Donald Trump stated that a response from Hamas regarding the latest ceasefire proposal with Israel is expected within 24 hours, Aljazeera reported. His remarks come amid escalating diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a lasting truce in Gaza as regional tensions persist.
“I want the people of Gaza to be safe more importantly,” Trump told reporters on Thursday, in response to questions about whether he still supported the idea, first raised in February, of the U.S. assuming administrative control over Gaza. “I want to see safety for the people of Gaza. They've gone through hell,” he emphasized.
In a separate post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump disclosed the outcome of recent negotiations, stating: “My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. 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. 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.”
Trump’s comments come ahead of a scheduled visit next week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, where the two leaders are expected to coordinate diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, Hamas announced Thursday evening that it is evaluating a ceasefire proposal mediated by regional actors. In a statement posted to its Telegram channel, the group said, “Within the framework of the movement’s commitment to ending the aggression against our people and ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid, the movement is consulting with the leaders of the Palestinian forces and factions regarding the proposal that has been received through mediators.”
The statement added: “After the conclusion of the consultations, a decision will be made and officially announced.”
The emergence of a ceasefire proposal comes amid mounting humanitarian concerns over the situation in Gaza, where infrastructure damage and displacement have reached critical levels following weeks of Israeli airstrikes and ground operations.
Yair Lapid, head of the Israeli opposition and former Prime Minister, affirmed Israel’s openness to the latest proposal during an interview with Sky News Arabia. “There is a proposal on the table, an important and implementable proposal. It is a partial proposal because it addresses part of the hostages, and America supports this proposal, and Israel has given its approval,” he said.
Lapid also issued a call for Arab countries and regional powers to apply pressure on Hamas to accept the agreement. “This is an opportunity for the Arab world and everyone who has influence, every Arab country and all the countries in the region, to exert every effort to pressure Hamas to accept this agreement,” he declared. “This is in the interest of the people of Gaza, the Israeli public, the hostages, and undoubtedly the whole region.”
He reiterated that the Israeli government distinguishes between Hamas and the broader civilian population of Gaza. “If Hamas lays down its arms, there is a possibility that the war could end within 24 hours,” he said. “Hamas sold humanitarian aid to buy weapons. We are at war with Hamas, not the people of Gaza. The war in the Gaza Strip benefits no one, and it will bring destruction upon the residents of Gaza.”
Lapid further emphasized that Hamas must not be allowed to continue governing Gaza. “Hamas cannot govern Gaza, and therefore, work must be done towards unification, ensuring that Hamas does not control Gaza,” he concluded.
As diplomatic pressure builds, regional actors and international mediators will be closely monitoring Hamas’ upcoming decision on the ceasefire proposal. If accepted, it could mark the beginning of a de-escalation phase after weeks of high-stakes violence that have drawn global condemnation and heightened tensions across the Middle East.
