US President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday for talks focused on finalizing a proposed peace plan for Gaza.
Trump has claimed that a deal to end the nearly two-year conflict—free hostages, and disarm Hamas—is close to completion following his discussions with Arab leaders last week. On Sunday, he posted on Despite Trump’s optimism, Netanyahu has shown little sign of compromise. In a recent UN address, he pledged to “finish the job” against Hamas and rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state, even as Western nations push for one. He has also pressed ahead with Israel’s military campaign in Gaza City, displacing hundreds of thousands.
This will be Netanyahu’s fourth White House visit since Trump returned to office in January. While Trump has long been a close ally, he has recently expressed frustration, cautioning Netanyahu against annexing the West Bank and criticizing an Israeli strike on Hamas members in Qatar, a key US partner.
Families of Israeli hostages urged Trump to stand firm on his proposed ceasefire plan, warning against attempts to derail progress. In an open letter, they wrote: “The stakes are too high and our families have waited too long for any interference to derail this progress.”
Analysts say the outcome hinges on how much pressure Trump is willing to exert. “Netanyahu prefers to continue the war, but it’s not impossible for Trump to change his mind. It would need a lot of pressure and a clear strategy,” said Natan Sachs of the Middle East Institute.
Reports suggest a 21-point US-led proposal is under discussion, including Hamas’s disarmament, hostage releases, and a ceasefire. The plan may involve a temporary “Gaza International Transitional Authority,” backed by the UN and Gulf nations, before handing governance to a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA).
Netanyahu has strongly opposed any PA role, casting doubt on its ability to reform or coexist peacefully with Israel.
The Gaza war began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians. Since then, Israel’s offensive has left over 66,000 Palestinians dead, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry that the UN deems credible.
Trump and Netanyahu are expected to hold a joint press conference at 1:15 p.m. ET (1715 GMT) on Monday.
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