Why Netanyahu may only want a 60-day ceasefire over an end to Gaza war - after Trump claims Israel has agreed terms

Donald Trump has said Israel has agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, and is urging Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen.

The US president announced the development ahead of hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House next week. He has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to work out a ceasefire and hostage agreement to end the war.

"My representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza," Mr Trump wrote on social media. "Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalise the 60-day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the war." He added that Qatari and Egyptian officials would deliver the final proposal.

"I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE," Mr Trump wrote. Mr Trump's comments will bring fresh hope of an end to the 20-month war, which has seen Israeli forces lay waste to most of Gaza in the aftermath of Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and roughly 250 were taken hostage.

The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since then has reached 56,500, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. An eight-week ceasefire was reached in the final days of Joe Biden's US presidency, but Israel resumed the war in March after trying to get Hamas to accept new terms on next steps.

Talks of a fresh ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have stalled over whether or not the war should end as part of any deal. Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi has accused Mr Netanyahu of stalling progress on a deal, saying the Israeli leader insists on a temporary agreement that would free just 10 of the hostages.

Read more:British-Israeli soldier killed in Gaza - reportsChants of 'death to America' at funeral for Iran commanders Omer Dostri, a spokesperson for Mr Netanyahu, said that "Hamas was the only obstacle to ending the war.