Signs of optimism on Gaza peace plan as Netanyahu meets Trump aides ahead of white house talks
Hopes for a breakthrough in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations grew on Sunday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held late-night discussions in Washington with senior aides to U.S. President Donald Trump, just hours before a high-stakes White House meeting between the two leaders.
The addition of a joint press conference to Monday’s meeting has fueled speculation that the Trump administration may announce it has finalized a landmark plan to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.
According to U.S. officials, Washington has already secured initial backing from key Arab and Muslim partners needed for the postwar administration of Gaza. However, both Israel and Hamas have yet to formally accept the proposal.
On Sunday evening, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met Netanyahu for nearly two hours at the Israeli leader’s Washington hotel, pressing him to endorse the plan despite his reported objections to provisions on Hamas’s disarmament and the Palestinian Authority’s role in postwar governance. Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner also joined the talks.
Hebrew media reported that the discussions were “constructive,” with Netanyahu expected to signal tentative support when he meets Trump at the White House. “The meeting went well,” one Israeli official said, hinting that Netanyahu could back the framework with some modifications.
DAILY POST reports that Trump himself fueled anticipation on Friday when he posted on Truth Social that he believed a deal was within reach. “We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” he declared. “ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL. FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!”
Despite the optimism, major obstacles remain. Hamas said it has not yet received the proposal, and Israel is unlikely to halt its military offensive without a firm agreement on the release of the 48 remaining hostages.
One key element of the 21-point U.S. plan reportedly allows certain measures, such as the formation of a Palestinian technocratic transitional government and deployment of an international stabilization force in areas cleared of Hamas, to proceed even without Hamas’s approval.
But Netanyahu’s push to dilute any reference to a future Palestinian state and to limit the Palestinian Authority’s involvement could threaten the fragile support of Arab and Muslim nations, which have made those provisions a condition for cooperation.
As Netanyahu prepares for his meeting with Trump on Monday, he remains the last regional leader to confer with the U.S. president before a potential announcement.
Observers say the Israeli premier’s position could determine whether the much-anticipated plan emerges as a historic step toward ending the Gaza conflict, or another missed opportunity.
