RFE
02 Jul 2025, 07:45 GMT+10
US President Donald Trump urged Iran-backed Hamas militants to agree to what he called a "final proposal" for a 60-day cease-fire with Israel in Gaza.
"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, hesaidon July 1 on Truth Social.
Israel has agreed to the conditions to finalize a 60-day cease-fire during which we will work with all parties to end the War," Trump said.
Representatives for Qatar and Egypt will deliver the proposal to Hamas, Trump said, which followed what he said was a "long and productive" meeting about Gaza between Israeli officials and his representatives.
He did not identify his representatives, but US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance had been due on July 1 to meet Ron Dermer, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on June 30 that Trump and administration officials were in constant communication with Israeli leadership and that bringing about an end to the Gaza conflict is a priority for Trump.
Its heartbreaking to see the images that have come out from both Israel and Gaza throughout this war, and the president wants to see it end, Leavitt added. He wants to save lives.
The US proposal also calls for the release of half the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the remains of other Palestinians.
Trump told reporters earlier that he is hopeful that a cease-fire-for-hostages agreement can be achieved next week between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza. He is set to meet Netanyahu at the White House on July 7.
Trump told reporters that he would be "very firm" with Netanyahu on the need for a speedy Gaza cease-fire, noting that the Israeli leader wants a cease-fire as well.
"We hope it's going to happen. And we're looking forward to it happening sometime next week," he told reporters. "We want to get the hostages out."
Netanyahu's visit to the White House will be his third since Trump returned to office in January. It follows Trumps decision to join Israel's war against Iran by attacking Iranian nuclear sites.
After brokering a cease-fire between those two countries, Trump has signaled that he's turning his attention to bringing a close to the fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in Gaza under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled.
With reporting by AP and ReutersGet a daily dose of Russia Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Russia Herald.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - Global stock indices closed with divergent performances on Tuesday, as investors weighed corporate earnings, central...
TORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
Vancouver, Canada: A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing in the world of athleisure. Lululemon, the Canadian brand known for its...
LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed firmly in positive territory to start the week Monday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he was halting trade discussions with Canada due to its decision...
VILNIUS, Lithuania – A growing body of research suggests that selectively restricting a single nutrient in our diet could have profound...
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - , Australian Federal Police (AFP) have shut down a secret drug lab in Sydney's west and seized more than 100kg...
US President Donald Trump urged Iran-backed Hamas militants to agree to what he called a final proposal for a 60-day cease-fire with...
(250702) -- ANKARA, July 2, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Syrians shop at a local market in the Onder neighborhood of Ankara, Trkiye, on July 1,...
Washington DC [US], July 2 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said that Israel has agreed to the necessary...
Washington DC [US] July 2 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) reaffirmed that India-US will soon strike a trade...