Hamas has reportedly written directly to former US President Donald Trump, proposing a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of half the hostages still held by the group. The communication, said to be in the custody of Qatari mediators, is expected to be delivered to the White House later this week. Qatar has frequently played a central role in ceasefire negotiations involving Hamas, Israel, and the United States.
This move comes at a crucial moment, as Trump engages with world leaders during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The gathering has been marked by heightened calls for peace, especially after four Western nations—Australia, Canada, Portugal, and the United Kingdom—officially recognized the State of Palestine. More than 145 countries worldwide have already extended recognition.
Trump, however, has strongly opposed such recognition, claiming it "rewards extremism and strengthens Hamas." His administration has doubled down by tightening restrictions on Palestinian officials, including visa revocations unless they renounce terrorism and abandon unilateral statehood campaigns.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the recognitions, declaring that a Palestinian state would never be allowed west of the Jordan River. He described such decisions as a "reward to terrorism," referencing the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel that sparked the ongoing conflict.
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently criticized Hamas, asserting that earlier ceasefire negotiations collapsed due to the group's unwillingness to compromise. The new letter, if authentic, signals a potential shift in Hamas's stance under mounting international and domestic pressure.
Despite this, the hostage situation remains grim. Of the 48 captives still believed to be in Gaza, fewer than half are confirmed alive. Families continue to demand urgent action from all sides.
Trump, meanwhile, has issued what he called his "final warning" to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of hostages and vowing consequences if his demands are ignored.Source: