US President Donald Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday for critical talks aimed at advancing a long-sought peace plan to end the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza.
Following recent discussions with Arab leaders, Trump expressed optimism that a deal to end the war, secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, and disarm the militant group is “effectively done.” On his Truth Social platform, he declared, “ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!”
Despite Trump’s confidence, Netanyahu’s recent statements paint a more cautious picture. In a defiant address to the United Nations on Friday, the Israeli prime minister vowed to “finish the job” against Hamas and reiterated his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state — a status many Western nations have recognized.
Netanyahu also appears reluctant to pause the ongoing military offensive in Gaza City, which has displaced hundreds of thousands. This upcoming meeting will mark Netanyahu’s fourth visit to the White House since Trump’s return to power in January, amid mounting pressure on the US president to end a conflict he initially claimed could be resolved in days.
Although historically a staunch ally of Netanyahu, Trump has recently shown signs of frustration. He warned Netanyahu last week against plans to annex parts of the West Bank and condemned Israel’s recent airstrike on Hamas operatives in Qatar, a key US ally.
Middle East expert Natan Sachs of the Middle East Institute said the outcome of the talks largely depends on how much pressure Trump is willing to exert on Netanyahu, noting, “Netanyahu has a clear preference for continuing the war and defeating Hamas, but I don’t think it’s impossible for Trump to convince him otherwise. It would need a lot of pressure from Trump and a very clear and sustained strategy.”
The two leaders are scheduled to hold a joint news conference at 1:15 pm US Eastern Time (17:15 GMT) on Monday.
Last week, after meetings with Arab and Muslim-majority leaders at the UN General Assembly, Trump sounded increasingly hopeful. Reports suggest a US-led 21-point agreement is taking shape, which includes a ceasefire, disarmament of Hamas, and the release of hostages.
Among the proposals is the creation of a “Gaza International Transitional Authority,” potentially led by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, which would govern Gaza with support from the UN and Gulf states before eventually transferring control to a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA).
However, Netanyahu remains deeply skeptical about the PA’s role. In an interview on Fox News, he dismissed the chances of reforming the PA into a body that accepts Israel’s right to exist and promotes coexistence. “Good luck,” he said, when asked about the prospect.
The Gaza conflict erupted after Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023, attack that claimed 1,219 Israeli lives, mostly civilians — the deadliest day in Israel’s history. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has resulted in more than 65,549 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, according to figures from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry and verified by the United Nations.
As Trump and Netanyahu meet amid these complex tensions, the world watches closely, hopeful for a breakthrough but aware of the formidable challenges ahead.
