Budapest: In a dramatic diplomatic development, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that Israel has accepted a ceasefire framework put forward by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The proposal, aimed at halting the months-long war in Gaza, was described by Saar as a “comprehensive plan” that could bring an end to hostilities if key conditions are met, including the release of hostages and the disarmament of Hamas.
Speaking at a press conference in Budapest alongside Hungarian officials, Saar emphasized that Israel is prepared to move toward a truce, but only under terms that guarantee the security of its citizens. “We welcome serious mediation efforts,” he said, “but the return of our hostages and the dismantling of Hamas’ military structure are non-negotiable.”
Even as diplomatic language took center stage in Europe, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning back home. He cautioned that Gaza City could face a “mighty hurricane” of aerial bombardment if Hamas rejects the ceasefire proposal. His statement underscored the two-pronged Israeli strategy of combining openness to dialogue with unrelenting military pressure.
This juxtaposition acceptance of a mediated plan alongside threats of overwhelming force illustrates Israel’s determination to maintain leverage in the negotiations. According to Israeli sources, the military continues to prepare for escalated strikes while keeping channels of diplomacy open.
Trump’s proposal, delivered through U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, outlines a phased process beginning with a hostage-prisoner exchange. Under the plan, all remaining Israeli hostages would be released in return for approximately 3,000 Palestinian prisoners. This would be followed by a temporary truce and further talks designed to lay the groundwork for a long-term settlement.
Trump, who has positioned himself as a central broker in the conflict, described the proposal as a “last warning.” His intervention comes after weeks of rising international pressure to end the bloodshed, with Washington seeking to reassert influence in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
Hamas has not formally accepted the plan but has indicated a willingness to review it. The group has insisted that any deal must include guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Regional mediators in Cairo and Doha have been working intensively to bridge the differences, hoping to prevent further escalation while a diplomatic solution is still on the table.
Observers note that Hamas’ cautious tone may be designed to buy time while gauging the level of international pressure on Israel. However, mounting humanitarian concerns in Gaza have added urgency to calls for a negotiated outcome.
The ceasefire discussions unfolded against a backdrop of worsening violence. Israeli airstrikes leveled a 12-story building in Gaza City, which Israeli authorities claimed housed Hamas intelligence and surveillance infrastructure. Residents were given only a short evacuation warning, sparking criticism from humanitarian agencies.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, a gun attack left six people dead, further fueling fears of spillover violence beyond Gaza. These events highlight the fragility of the current moment, with the possibility of peace and the risk of escalation running in parallel.
Israel’s conditional acceptance of Trump’s plan marks the most significant diplomatic opening since the conflict began, but the road ahead remains uncertain. With both sides wary and violence continuing, success will depend on whether negotiators can secure concessions that satisfy Israel’s security concerns and address Palestinian demands for sovereignty and dignity. For now, the world watches as diplomacy and warfare unfold in tandem, with the fate of Gaza and the credibility of Trump’s mediation hanging in the balance.