Trump warns Netanyahu on Iran talks, pushes Gaza ceasefire plan
3 Min Read
US President Donald Trump cautioned Netanyahu against disrupting Iran nuclear negotiations, while his administration prepares a ceasefire proposal between Hamas and "Israel".
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President Donald Trump, right, listens as White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim US Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP)
US President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that he had issued a warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the previous week, advising him against taking any actions that might interfere with the nuclear negotiations involving Iran.
"I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we're very close to a solution now," Trump told reporters, noting that "That could change at any moment."
US working on Hamas-'Israel' ceasefire
A senior aide informed reporters that the Trump administration is preparing to complete a new written agreement as early as Wednesday, which could serve as the foundation for a possible ceasefire arrangement in Gaza between "Israel" and Hamas.
"We are on the precipice of sending out a new term sheet that hopefully will be delivered later on today," Steve Witkoff, US Special Envoy to the Middle East, announced, adding that Trump will review it while expressing optimism it will lead to a long-term resolution of the war in Gaza.
Witkoff delivered the remarks at the White House alongside Trump, who stated that his administration is taking steps to speed up food aid distribution to Palestinians in Gaza.
"We're dealing with the whole situation in Gaza. We're getting food to the people of Gaza. It's been a very nasty situation," Trump stated.
Details of the Witkoff proposal
A senior Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations said the proposed deal includes a 60-day ceasefire for the release of 10 Israeli captives in two phases. Hamas countered with a 90-day truce for the same number, five living and five deceased. US mediators later proposed a 70-day compromise.
Both versions include terms for humanitarian access and reduced military operations. The official noted Hamas sought a longer pause while keeping the release terms, leading to the US-backed middle ground.
The document further stresses that the ceasefire period would be complete and unconditionally backed by US President Donald Trump, demonstrating a firm commitment to ending the conflict.
Hamas agrees to Witkoff proposal
Earlier on Tuesday, the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas declared its acceptance of a new ceasefire proposal put forward by US envoy Steven Witkoff, signaling a possible turning point in attempts to stop the continuing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.
In an official statement, Hamas explained that the proposal establishes a comprehensive framework featuring a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, the swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the creation of a professional committee to oversee the enclave's civil affairs once the agreement is formally announced.
The statement further detailed that the agreement includes provisions for the release of ten Israeli captives as well as the handover of several deceased individuals, in return for a specified number of Palestinian prisoners, with all exchanges to be conducted under the oversight of international mediators.
