Israel has agreed to President Donald Trump’s proposed 60-day ceasefire plan to halt the Gaza war, a move that could set the stage for a broader peace agreement in the Middle East. The agreement, if finalized, would mark a significant diplomatic win for the Trump administration as it seeks to expand the Abraham Accords and normalize relations between Israel and additional Arab nations.

“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza,” Trump announced on Truth Social. “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.”

Trump urged Hamas to accept the deal, warning the group that “it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”

The plan was delivered by Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who will travel to Cairo to negotiate with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, pressing Hamas to agree to the terms and begin discussions on a broader resolution. The deal comes after previous proposals were rejected by Hamas, which demanded a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza before agreeing to any hostage release or peace talks.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed Israel’s commitment to moving forward, stating, “Israel is serious in its will to reach a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza.” Sa’ar emphasized that Israel’s acceptance of the proposal demonstrates its readiness to end the conflict under the right conditions while protecting its security interests.

Trump has made ending the conflict in Gaza a central focus as he works to expand the Abraham Accords, which began during his first term and led to normalization agreements between Israel and countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. The addition of new nations to the circle of peace is contingent on resolving the Gaza conflict and securing stability in the region, with Saudi Arabia and other nations signaling that further normalization is unlikely unless the suffering in Gaza is addressed.

“Israel is interested in expanding the Abraham Accords circle of peace and normalization,” Sa’ar said, adding that Israel hopes to include neighbors such as Syria and Lebanon in the agreements while safeguarding its security. “We paid for the new reality in the Middle East with the blood of our soldiers and citizens.”

Trump’s push for peace comes at a time when Israel has faced increasing international pressure to end military operations in Gaza. The conflict, which escalated after Hamas’s October 2023 attacks and subsequent Israeli strikes, has led to heavy casualties and displacement in Gaza, with calls growing for a resolution that ensures the return of hostages while reducing violence in the region.

The Trump administration has framed the ceasefire as an opportunity for Hamas to secure relief for the people of Gaza while avoiding further escalation. By agreeing to the ceasefire and releasing hostages, Hamas could open the door to broader diplomatic and economic opportunities for Palestinians, Trump officials argue.

Critics, however, remain skeptical that Hamas will agree to the terms without guarantees of a complete Israeli withdrawal, while Israeli officials maintain that security concerns prevent a full military exit from Gaza in the short term.

The ceasefire plan comes as Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio continue to engage regional leaders, seeking to solidify alliances and counter the influence of Iran-backed groups across the Middle East. The administration views resolving the Gaza conflict as essential to advancing broader stability and countering adversarial powers in the region.

As negotiations progress in Cairo, the success of the Trump-led ceasefire initiative will depend on whether Hamas is willing to engage and whether the parties can overcome longstanding obstacles to peace. The coming weeks will reveal whether Trump’s push can deliver a breakthrough that ends hostilities in Gaza and expands the Abraham Accords to reshape the future of the Middle East.