Hamas drafts letter to Trump seeking 60-day ceasefire for hostage releases
Draft calls for a 60-day Gaza truce in exchange for the immediate release of about half the hostages, with delivery expected this week, sources say
Hamas has drafted a letter to President Donald Trump requesting a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the immediate release of roughly half the hostages held by the group, two people familiar with the matter told Fox News. The letter is expected to be delivered to Trump this week, the sources said.
The message reportedly asks Washington to guarantee the pause in fighting for two months and to facilitate the release of about half of the hostages currently held in Gaza. Trump has publicly pressed Hamas to release all hostages seized during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
If authentic, the letter would mark a notable development in behind-the-scenes diplomacy as U.S. officials and regional partners weigh options to reduce hostilities while maintaining pressure on Hamas. People familiar with the discussions cautioned that there is no official confirmation of the document, and plans could still change as negotiations continue.
Fox News cited two sources for the report: a senior Trump administration official and another person directly involved in negotiations. The network noted that Trump has consistently described the hostage issue as central to any durable settlement and has publicly urged Hamas to release all captives. The report also underscored the complexity of implementing a ceasefire in Gaza, given competing security concerns among Israel, Hamas, and regional actors.
Analysts and former diplomats said any such deal would require robust verification and enforcement mechanisms, along with provisions to address humanitarian access and security guarantees. They noted that a 60-day pause would be a significant shift from ongoing fighting and would hinge on practical steps to monitor compliance by Hamas and ensure aid deliveries to civilians.
In Gaza, residents and officials have faced ongoing disruption from periodic violence, with humanitarian agencies warning that even temporary truces must be accompanied by improved aid access to avert a broader humanitarian crisis. The current diplomatic discourse comes as U.S. and allied negotiators explore pathways to a broader framework that could reduce hostilities while protecting civilians and regional stability.
The evolving narrative around the letter reflects the high-stakes diplomacy underway as the international community weighs pressure on Hamas, security assurances for Israel, and the humanitarian imperative amid the conflict. Officials have emphasized that any credible agreement would require multilateral support, strict verification, and a credible enforcement mechanism before hostilities could be paused for an extended period.
This is a developing story, and updates are expected as negotiators assess the feasibility, terms, and potential implications of a proposed ceasefire-and-hostage-release arrangement. World readers will want to monitor official statements from the White House and allied capitals for confirmation and further detail.