Trump announces Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal but warns 'it will only get worse'

Donald Trump has taken a significant step towards halting the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which this week saw 23 people, including women and children, killed in an attack on a bustling cafe.

In an unexpected move, President Trump announced that Israel's government has consented to the stipulations of a 60-day ceasefire, as part of an international negotiation effort. He issued a major warning to Hamas in the process.

Details of the ceasefire agreement remain under wraps, but Trump expressed his hope that Hamas would accept the terms "for the good of the Middle East," while cautioning that "it will not get better, it will only get worse," should the designated terror organisation reject the offer.

President Trump took to his social media platform to disclose that US negotiators "had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis" on Tuesday, centring discussions on the conflict raging in Gaza.

He confirmed that Israel had agreed to "the necessary conditions" for a "60 day ceasefire" in the territories under occupation, as part of a "final proposal" brokered by Qatar and Egypt.

Trump indicated his aspiration for the deal to mark the end of Israel's war, which, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, has resulted in at least 56,531 casualties since the onset of Hamas's terror attacks on October 7.

President Trump's full statement on TruthSocial: "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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!".

This significant breakthrough comes just before President Trump is due to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, where he has indicated he will be "very firm" in discussions with his close ally regarding a prompt resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Earlier, speaking to journalists, Trump commented on the negotiations: 'We hope it's going to happen. And we're looking forward to it happening sometime next week.

"We want to get the hostages out."

However, prior to this anticipated meeting, the Mail has reported that Israeli official Ron Dermer has been in Washington laying the groundwork for ceasefire proposals ahead of Monday's talks on July 7.

Dermer engaged with several key figures in the Trump administration concerning the Middle East, including US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance. Then, on Tuesday evening, President Trump announced to the world that Israel had consented to the ceasefire terms.

Whilst the specifics of the plan remain confidential, a key sticking point in negotiations is the return of all hostages taken on October 7, with an estimated 50 Israelis thought to be still held in Gaza. It's understood that only 20 are still alive.