US President Donald Trump is set to push a new peace plan aimed at ending the Israel-Gaza conflict during discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday.
Trump expressed optimism about the prospects of an agreement, stating, I think we have a deal during a press briefing last Friday.
Despite Trump's confidence, Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the details have not been finalized, and Hamas has not formally received the proposal.
According to leaked documents, the plan includes the immediate release of hostages within 48 hours once the agreement is confirmed. Following this, Israel is expected to free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences.
Additionally, the plan offers amnesty and safe passage for Hamas members who commit to peace, with the stipulation that the group would play no future role in Gaza, and all military structures associated with Hamas will be dismantled.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are set to gradually withdraw from Gaza, allowing for governance under an interim transitional government.
This proposal represents a notable shift from the Trump administration’s previous stance, which suggested relocating Gaza's 2.1 million residents and redeveloping the region into a US-owned riviera. Instead, the latest proposal encourages Palestinians to remain in Gaza and acknowledges their aspirations for a future state, providing a potential future role for the Palestinian Authority (PA) once reforms are implemented.
Historically contentious points for Netanyahu, who has previously rejected a Palestinian state, may complicate matters as he attempts to garner support from his right-leaning coalition members, some of whom aim to maintain control of Gaza and expand Jewish settlements.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid expressed his support for reaching an agreement and reassured that Netanyahu has sufficient parliamentary backing for a hostage deal. Meanwhile, popular pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to conclude the war, notably from the families of hostages still in Gaza.
In this tense backdrop, Trump is reportedly growing impatient with Netanyahu over recent Israeli airstrikes in the region targeting Hamas leadership.
As Trump prepares for the critical meeting, he remains optimistic about potential breakthroughs, stating, “We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL.”
The context of this renewed diplomatic effort follows escalations in violence since Hamas's October 7 attacks, which killed approximately 1,200 individuals and left hundreds taken hostage. In response, Israeli military actions have resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating over 65,549 fatalities in Gaza, prompting global discussions on the humanitarian crisis developing in the territory.
