WASHINGTON: Despite a bold claim by U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, mediators involved in the fragile negotiations have warned that substantial obstacles remain before any agreement can be confirmed.

At a political rally on Tuesday, Trump asserted that he had helped broker what he described as a breakthrough truce between Israel and Hamas. “Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, something they said would never happen,” he announced, suggesting that his influence behind the scenes had played a key role in moving the peace process forward. Mediators are continuing their efforts, travelling between capitals in a bid to turn political rhetoric into actionable commitments.

Their hope is to secure a pause in hostilities that could serve as a foundation for broader peace efforts in the region.