The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200.
President Donald Trump said Friday that it will likely be clear within the next 24 hours whether Hamas will accept what he has described as a “final proposal” for a ceasefire with Israel in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One alongside members of his administration and Republican lawmakers, Trump said the U.S. is waiting to see if the Palestinian militant group will agree to a 60-day truce framework, which he previously stated had already been accepted by Israel.
“We’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “We are going to know over the next 24 hours.”
Trump has pushed the ceasefire plan as part of his broader effort to end the conflict, which reignited in October 2023 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 people and led to the abduction of roughly 250 others, according to Israeli officials.
Since then, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military response, with widespread destruction, famine-like conditions, and mass displacement prompting global outcry and legal challenges at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. Israel has strongly denied accusations of genocide and war crimes.
A source close to Hamas said Thursday the group was seeking assurances that any U.S.-backed ceasefire deal would eventually result in a complete end to the war. Israeli officials said some key terms were still under negotiation.
The last ceasefire collapsed in March after Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed over 400 Palestinians, reigniting hostilities. Earlier this year, Trump drew sharp international criticism after proposing a U.S.-led administration in Gaza—a move condemned as “ethnic cleansing” by human rights groups and the United Nations.
Talks to Expand the Abraham Accords
Trump also confirmed Friday that he discussed expanding the Abraham Accords during a recent meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman. The agreement, originally brokered during Trump’s first term, normalized relations between Israel and several Gulf nations.
“It’s one of the things we talked about,” Trump said. “I think a lot of people are going to be joining the Abraham Accords,” he added, referencing recent military pressure on Iran and potential shifts in regional alliances.
Following his meeting with Trump, Axios reported that the Saudi defense chief held a phone call with Iranian military commander Abdolrahim Mousavi—signaling that regional diplomacy remains complex amid rising tensions.
The Saudi meeting comes ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington next week, where further discussions on the ceasefire, regional security, and Iran are expected.
