The US president has urged the Palestinian group to accept his Gaza ceasefire proposal

US President Donald Trump has publicly warned Hamas against rejecting a new American-backed ceasefire proposal, stating that the militant group's position will only deteriorate if it refuses to accept the deal, which has allegedly already been agreed upon with Israel.

The warning was issued on Tuesday via Trump's Truth Social platform, following what he described as a "long and productive meeting" between US and Israeli officials.

"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 wrote, thanking mediators Qatar and Egypt for their efforts.

The exact details of the proposal, reportedly finalized during high-level US-Israeli consultations, remain unclear. The deal is believed to include a temporary pause in hostilities in Gaza in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages and broader humanitarian access to the enclave. Egyptian and Qatari mediators are expected to present the deal to Hamas leadership in the coming days.

Trump's statement comes amid growing divisions within Israel's own government over the prospect of any ceasefire. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday that "this war must end in a decisive victory... without agreements, without mediators." The far-right official warned that halting operations would pose "a greater danger" to Israel's future than continuing the war.

Despite internal dissent, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has allowed talks on a possible pause in the fighting to proceed, under pressure from the US and in response to international concern over mounting civilian casualties in Gaza.

Since the start of the war in October 2023, more than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The conflict began after a surprise Hamas assault on southern Israel that left around 1,200 people dead and 250 taken hostage. Israel's response has reduced much of Gaza to rubble and triggered a severe humanitarian disaster in the Palestinian enclave.

Washington has supported Israel's military campaign while also urging restraint and promoting humanitarian efforts. In late May, the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began operating aid corridors following a three-month Israeli blockade. However, over 400 Palestinians have reportedly been killed near aid distribution points since then, according to UN data and local health authorities.

The Israeli military recently intensified its offensive following reports that around 20 hostages are still alive in Hamas custody. Israel has claimed a series of high-profile assassinations in recent weeks, including those of Hamas military commander Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa and political leader Muhammad Sinwar. Hamas has denied placing its military infrastructure in civilian areas and has condemned the killings of non-combatants in the strikes.

(RT.com)