EditTrump’s ceasefire push in Gaza sparks hope amid ongoing Israeli strikes
The U.S. president aims at diplomatic victories, even if they don’t fit Netanyahu’s agenda
U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Wednesday (2 June) that Israel has agreed to conditions for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza has ignited cautious optimism in the war-torn enclave, where health officials reported at least 20 deaths from Israeli attacks on the same day.
The statement, posted on social media after what Trump called a “long and productive” meeting with Israeli officials, comes against the backdrop of a complex and often fraught relationship between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose strategic priorities frequently diverge despite their public alignment.
Ceasefire proposal and Gaza’s response
Trump’s statement indicated that mediators Qatar and Egypt would deliver a “final” ceasefire proposal to Hamas, though specific conditions were not disclosed.
For Gazans enduring 21 months of Israel’s military campaign, which has killed over 56,000 Palestinians – mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry – and displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population, even a temporary pause offers hope.
The war, sparked by Hamas’ 7 October attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has left Gaza in ruins, with no clear path to a permanent resolution.
“I hope it would work this time, even if for two months, it would save thousands of innocent lives,” said Kamal, a Gaza City resident, speaking by phone. Tamer Al-Burai, a local businessman, echoed the sentiment: “Everyone is hopeful… there is no room for more failures, every day costs us our lives.”
The proposal builds on a U.S.-backed plan from May, which Hamas sought to amend, demanding guarantees for a permanent end to the war. That plan included a 60-day ceasefire, the release of half the 50 remaining hostages (around 20 believed to be alive) in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the eventual release of all hostages for a lasting resolution.
A Hamas official declined immediate comment, but a source indicated the group’s leaders would debate the proposal and seek clarifications from mediators.The Trump-Netanyahu Relationship: Alignment and Tensions
Trump and Netanyahu’s relationship, while often portrayed as a close partnership, has been marked by mutual support and underlying friction, shaped by their respective political agendas.
During Trump’s first term, he delivered significant wins for Israel, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognising the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, and brokering the Abraham Accords. These moves bolstered Netanyahu’s domestic standing and aligned with Trump’s appeal to pro-Israel voters in the U.S.
However, their personal rapport has not always translated into perfect policy alignment.Netanyahu, a hawkish leader reliant on a right-wing coalition, faces domestic pressure to maintain an aggressive stance against Hamas, particularly from hardline coalition members who oppose any ceasefire that doesn’t dismantle the group entirely.
Trump, meanwhile, is driven by a desire to project decisive leadership and secure diplomatic victories, especially after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites weakened Tehran, a key Hamas backer. Trump’s push for a ceasefire reflects his broader goal of stabilizing the region to facilitate deals like the Abraham Accords, which could expand Israel’s ties with Arab states – a priority that sometimes clashes with Netanyahu’s focus on military dominance.
Tensions surfaced during Trump’s first term when Netanyahu reportedly felt blindsided by Trump’s abrupt decisions, such as the 2019 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, which Israel saw as weakening its security against Iran-backed forces. More recently, Trump’s public urging for a ceasefire, including his claim that “Israel has agreed” to terms, may put Netanyahu in a difficult position, as it pressures him to act against the wishes of his coalition’s ultranationalists.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar signaled coalition support for a hostage-release deal, writing on X, “If there is an opportunity… we must not miss it!” Yet, opposition leader Yair Lapid’s offer to provide a parliamentary “safety net” suggests potential domestic resistance to Netanyahu’s acquiescence.Iran’s Role and Regional Dynamics
Trump’s ceasefire push leverages recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which followed a 12-day conflict and a subsequent ceasefire. With Iran weakened, Israeli leaders see an opportunity to strengthen regional alliances, potentially with Saudi Arabia, which has expressed openness to normalizing ties with Israel if a Palestinian state is established – a condition Netanyahu resists.
Trump’s strategy appears to link the Gaza ceasefire to broader diplomatic goals, pressuring Hamas, which relies on Iranian support, to accept terms. This aligns with Trump’s “America First” approach, prioritizing U.S.-led deals over prolonged military entanglements.
Israel’s ongoing operations and Gaza’s plight
Despite ceasefire talks, Israel’s military operations continue unabated, with Gaza health authorities reporting 20 deaths in northern and southern attacks on Wednesday. The Israeli military, which ordered further evacuations, stated its operations target Hamas’ capabilities while aiming to minimise civilian harm, though it did not address specific incidents. Over 80% of Gaza is now under Israeli militarized control or displacement orders, per the U.N., plunging the enclave into a humanitarian crisis marked by starvation and mass displacement.
The ceasefire proposal highlights the delicate balance between Trump’s diplomatic ambitions and Netanyahu’s domestic constraints. Trump’s public announcement, bypassing direct Israeli confirmation, may be a tactic to corner Netanyahu into compliance, but it risks straining their relationship if the Israeli leader resists. For Gazans, the prospect of a pause offers relief, but the lack of official responses from Israel and Hamas underscores the uncertainty.
With Reuters, edited by g.g.
Caption: Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza protest outside the Israeli prime minister’s office calling for the immediate release of the hostages, in Jerusalem, 01 July 2025. According to Israel’s military, around 50 Israeli hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip, including the bodies of at least 30 confirmed dead. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Updated: July 2, 2025 - 13:34
