Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Israel has agreed to a proposed 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, a development aimed at facilitating peace discussions involving the U.S. and other stakeholders in the conflict. He urged Hamas to accept this opportunity for resolution, warning that conditions could deteriorate further if they do not comply.
“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this deal because it will not get better — it will only get worse,” Trump stated during a press briefing. This announcement comes ahead of a scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, highlighting Trump’s intensified focus on achieving a ceasefire and establishing a hostage agreement in the region. This shift follows the successful negotiation of a peace agreement between Israel and Iran.
In other developments, the Senate passed a significant tax and spending bill, dubbed the Big Beautiful Bill Act, on Tuesday. The narrowly passed legislation received a 50-50 vote, which Vice President JD Vance broke to secure its passage despite opposition from some Republican senators and Democrats. The three Republicans who stood against the bill are Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, and Rand Paul of Kentucky.
While the bill now moves back to the House for final approval, Speaker Mike Johnson has cautioned senators against straying too far from previous agreements made by the House. Some changes made in the Senate, particularly regarding Medicaid, could complicate matters as Republicans aim to meet Trump’s July 4 deadline.
A recent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office highlighted that the bill could add nearly $3.3 trillion to the national debt from 2025 to 2034, representing a $1 trillion increase compared to its House counterpart. The report also warned that if the legislation passes, approximately 11.8 million Americans could lose their health insurance by 2034.
In a separate incident, Trump visited an immigration detention facility in Florida, located in a remote area surrounded by wildlife such as alligators and pythons. The facility, housing up to 5,000 detainees, has been labeled “Alligator Alcatraz” by state officials. The Trump administration has used the site to emphasize its tough position on illegal immigration, promoting it as a highly secure facility due to its unique location.
This latest series of announcements and moves underscores the administration’s ongoing efforts to navigate complex political landscapes both domestically and internationally. The implications of the ceasefire proposal and the passage of the contentious Big Beautiful Bill could resonate for years to come, shaping the future of U.S. policy and international relations.