Hamas Proposes 60-Day Ceasefire to Trump for Hostage Release

Hamas has reached out to former President Donald Trump with a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of half the hostages currently held in Gaza. The letter, anticipated to be delivered to the White House this week, is reportedly in the hands of officials from Qatar, a nation that has previously mediated ceasefire talks between the United States and Hamas.

According to Fox News, this correspondence comes after recent ceasefire negotiations collapsed earlier in June. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, indicated that Hamas showed a “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.” The situation remains tense as Trump participates in discussions with foreign leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he is expected to address the ongoing conflict and the recent recognition of a Palestinian state by several nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal.

This recognition comes in the wake of the violence that erupted following the October 7, 2023Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the formal recognition of a Palestinian state, stating, “You are giving a huge reward to terrorism,” while asserting that a Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River. The responses from both leaders highlight the deep divisions in international perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In a recent statement, the Trump administration announced a decision to deny and revoke visas for Palestinian officials or diplomats ahead of the General Assembly, insisting that they “must completely reject terrorism and stop counterproductively pursuing the unilateral recognition of a hypothetical state.”

Currently, there are 48 hostages believed to be held in Gaza, with reports suggesting that fewer than half are still alive. In light of this dire situation, Trump has issued what he describes as his “last warning” to Hamas, demanding the immediate return of Israeli hostages.

The complexities surrounding this proposal for a ceasefire reflect the broader geopolitical tensions and humanitarian crises at play in the region, as international leaders continue to grapple with the implications of recognition and negotiations.