Hamas proposes 60-day truce in exchange for hostages - Trump to meet arab leaders

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet tomorrow with senior Arab and Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, in an effort to revive negotiations to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages. The meeting comes amid a new proposal from Hamas, which has drafted a letter to Trump offering a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of half of the hostages held in Gaza.

According to Arab diplomatic sources and a report first aired on Fox News, the draft letter—originating from Hamas leaders in Qatar—includes a request for Trump’s personal guarantee that the ceasefire would be respected. The group also suggests extending the ceasefire if negotiations for a final deal and the release of remaining hostages show progress.

The letter has not yet been officially signed by Hamas leaders but is expected to be finalized and delivered to Trump via Qatari mediators in the coming days.

High-Stakes UN Meetings as Ceasefire Talks Stall

Trump’s meeting, scheduled for Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. Israeli time, will include leaders or representatives from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, according to Arab sources. The White House has reportedly requested that these nations support a U.S.-backed framework for ending the war in Gaza and participate in planning for the "day after" scenario, which includes forming a regional stabilization force to replace the IDF in Gaza.

While the White House has not issued an official statement, the timing of the meeting—just days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington on September 29—underscores the urgency of resolving the ongoing humanitarian and diplomatic crisis.

Arab leaders are expected to press Trump to put pressure on Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire and refrain from any annexation moves in the West Bank. The UAE has already warned that any Israeli annexation could collapse the Abraham Accords, a cornerstone of Trump’s foreign policy legacy.

Hamas Releases New Video

The developments come as Hamas released a new video showing signs of life from Israeli hostage Alon Ohel, timed to the eve of Rosh Hashanah. At the request of the hostages' families, the video will not be publicly distributed in Israeli media. This is the second recent indication of life from captives, following the appearance of both Ohel and Guy Gilboa Dalal in a separate video earlier this month.

Minutes before releasing the video, Hamas issued a statement marking the 700th day of the war, accusing Israel of committing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and forced displacement in Gaza. The group also blamed the United States for providing political and military cover to Israel, calling Prime Minister Netanyahu a “war criminal” who is sabotaging mediation efforts.

Hamas renewed its call for international intervention and praised ongoing efforts like the global flotilla aimed at breaking the siege on Gaza. The statement urged the Arab and Islamic world to escalate protests and intensify pressure on Israel to stop the war.

Families of Hostages Call for Action

The release of the video has once again shaken Israeli public opinion, with families of hostages renewing their calls for a comprehensive agreement that brings their loved ones home. The timing of the Hamas ceasefire proposal—and its direct appeal to Donald Trump—has sparked renewed debate in Washington and Jerusalem about the best path forward.

Meanwhile, political observers note that Trump’s growing involvement in the hostage and Gaza files, even as a former president, signals his intention to reassert global leadership ahead of the 2026 U.S. presidential race.

With the UN General Assembly underway and major diplomatic meetings imminent, the coming days may prove pivotal in determining whether the war in Gaza will continue—or whether negotiations, backed by regional and international powers, can finally move forward.