Speculation is growing that the U.S. administration is preparing to announce a landmark deal to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages, following today’s high-stakes meeting at the White House between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli media reported.
President Trump welcomed Netanyahu shortly after pledging a “deal” on Gaza and reiterating his veto against a potential annexation of the occupied West Bank.
“We have a real chance to achieve something historic in the Middle East. Everyone is ready for something special, something happening for the first time. We will make it happen,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday.
This is the fourth meeting between the two leaders since Trump’s inauguration on January 20. A joint press conference is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. tonight.
U.S. and Israel “Very Close” to Agreement
According to Axios journalist Barak Ravid, the U.S. and Israel are “very close” to finalizing Trump’s plan for Gaza, citing a senior American official. Negotiations have involved Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Netanyahu. The official stressed that Hamas would need to agree to the plan.
Over the past nine months, Trump has never questioned his support for Israel, though his proposals for ending the conflict — which began with Hamas’s unprecedented attack on October 7 — have evolved and sometimes diverged from Netanyahu’s hardline stance.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, remains internationally isolated and faces domestic protests in Israel calling for a ceasefire that would secure the hostages’ return. Experts note he cannot easily risk alienating his sole major ally in Washington.
The American Proposal
The U.S. plan reportedly envisions:
- A permanent ceasefire in Gaza
- The release of Israeli hostages held in Palestinian territory
- An Israeli withdrawal
- A new governance framework for Gaza without Hamas
British media suggest that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair may play a significant role in a transitional authority for Gaza.
“Netanyahu clearly prefers to continue the war, but it’s not impossible that Trump could convince him otherwise,” said Nathan Zacks, a Middle East Institute expert in Washington.
Trump himself hinted at imminent progress last week:
“I believe we have a deal. It will be a deal that brings the hostages home. It will be a deal that ends the war,” he promised from the White House.
At the same time, however, Netanyahu struck a defiant tone at the UN General Assembly, vowing to “finish the job” against Hamas.
