- Trump administration submits Israel-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal to Hamas; details remain undisclosed.
- Senior Trump officials say the President is “seriously” committed to ending the Gaza war “for sure.”
- Hamas studying proposal amid skepticism; earlier Trump peace plan was widely rejected.
- Stakeholders express hope as 60-day truce deal includes hostage exchange and possible permanent ceasefire talks.
WASHINGTON—For the first time since the Gaza conflict reignited in October 2023, President Donald Trump appears poised to broker what his aides are calling a “historic breakthrough” in the Middle East. A ceasefire proposal crafted by the Trump administration and reportedly backed by Israel has been sent to Hamas, triggering cautious optimism among regional stakeholders. Yet, the full details of the plan remain tightly under wraps.
Unnamed senior officials within the Trump administration told this publication that the President is “seriously thinking about ending the war in Gaza—and he will do it for sure.” According to these sources, Trump is determined to achieve what previous U.S. presidents could not: a durable peace deal that satisfies both Israel and the Palestinian factions, notably Hamas.
“This is not a symbolic gesture or a publicity stunt,” one official insisted. “The President believes that this is the moment to end the war, and he’s personally involved in shaping every clause of the ceasefire draft.”
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Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Thursday that the ceasefire proposal, authored by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, has already been approved by Israel and transmitted to Hamas for review. However, officials from both sides of the conflict have remained vague about the specifics of the plan.
“No one has seen the full content of the U.S. proposal outside the top negotiating teams,” a Middle Eastern diplomat involved in the talks told this reporter. “But there’s a sense of cautious hope. Everyone wants a ceasefire, and we are closer than we’ve been in months.”
The optimism in Washington contrasts sharply with skepticism on the ground. Hamas has not yet accepted the proposal. Senior Hamas leader Basem Naim criticized the Israeli-approved draft, suggesting it could “perpetuate the occupation and continue the killing and famine.” Still, Hamas confirmed it was studying the document and preparing a formal response.
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The Trump administration’s plan is understood to include a 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 living Israeli hostages, and the repatriation of 18 deceased. In exchange, Israel would reportedly release a number of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas wants the truce period to be used to hammer out a comprehensive, permanent end to hostilities.
Despite the ambiguity surrounding the plan, it marks a bold return to high-stakes diplomacy for Trump. His previous attempt at a Gaza peace plan was widely criticized and ultimately rejected—not only by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority but also by countries like Sudan, who saw it as heavily skewed in favor of Israel.
“This time it’s different,” a Trump adviser said. “The President has made it clear: he wants full regional support. And early indications are that the plan will get backing from key Arab capitals as well as the Israeli leadership.”
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the families of hostages whose remains are still in Gaza. He indicated willingness to move forward with the Witkoff plan but warned that many details are still under negotiation.
Yet, there is lingering distrust within Israeli society. Some families came away from the meeting disappointed. “We didn’t receive any concrete information,” said Yael Adar, whose son Tamir was killed and abducted during the October 7 attack. “We were told that the war would only end when Hamas is defeated. That doesn’t sound like a ceasefire is imminent.”
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Nonetheless, a growing movement in Israel, led by hostage families and civil society groups, is advocating for an immediate halt to the war and a negotiated release of all captives. This internal pressure is believed to have influenced Netanyahu’s decision to give conditional approval to the U.S. plan.
Trump has thus far managed to walk a fine line—offering fewer public criticisms of Netanyahu than his predecessor Joe Biden, while also opening channels of communication with Hamas and even Iran, both of whom Israel views with suspicion. Administration officials insist that this pragmatic diplomacy is a sign of Trump’s unique leadership style.
“The President doesn’t care about protocol—he cares about results,” another official said. “If talking directly to Hamas or even Tehran brings peace to Gaza, he’ll do it.”
Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce acknowledged the fragility of the situation but echoed the growing sentiment inside the administration: “There is some optimism.”
For now, the war in Gaza continues, with humanitarian conditions worsening by the day. United Nations envoy Sigrid Kaag warned earlier this week that “the entire population of Gaza is facing the risk of famine.” Aid deliveries remain sporadic at best.
As Hamas reviews the U.S.-Israeli proposal and Trump weighs his next move, the region waits.
“This is a real window of opportunity,” a senior Arab diplomat said in Washington. “If Trump can deliver this ceasefire, it will be his first major foreign policy achievement of his second term—and perhaps a turning point for Gaza.”
Still, given the legacy of failed peace attempts and the deep mistrust among all parties, even Trump’s most determined effort faces formidable obstacles. But one thing is certain: the world is watching.