Description: US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted certain terms for a ceasefire with Hamas but only in principle. Following the joint military campaign in Iran, Israel and the US have reportedly shifted their focus towards resolving the war in Gaza and securing the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Israel’s Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, has been conducting meetings with US Vice – President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East Special envoy, Steve Witkoff, which have allegedly resulted in concrete proposals for a ceasefire to take shape. Official response from the Israeli side was not solicited as Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to meet with the US President on Monday when they’ll be discussing the situation with Iran, Gaza and most probably conclude with bilateral trade. Hamas remained skeptical, stating that no Israeli delegation was sent in the latest mediated negotiations in Qatar, and no concrete ceasefire proposals have been outlined by either side.
Impact: With the military goals of neutralizing Iran’s nuclear program allegedly achieved, Trump is shifting his focus towards influencing the hostage exchanges and ending the war in Gaza. The lack of direct and public acknowledgement from Israel still incites doubt over the possibility the ceasefire would be realized. Hamas also denounced the existence of anything concrete in the mediated negotiations with Egypt and Qatar which further casts a wide shadow over the outcome of Trump’s proposal. Previous failures in securing the longevity of a potential ceasefire would influence the positions from both Israel and Hamas if precise language isn’t outlined in the US proposal which would eventually lead towards a coherent strategy of ending the war. The political camp in Israel is divided with Netanyahu’s far – right supporters aiming at subverting any ceasefire efforts which could seriously impact Israel’s response to the US proposal, considering that Netanyahu also faces domestic pressure from the multiple investigations launched against him. Both Hamas and Israel would most likely concede to pressure over time, applied through the mediators and the US and engage into a temporary ceasefire which would still be under risk of faltering if concrete diplomatic efforts don’t result in the termination of the war in Gaza.