Trump Pushes New Peace Plan in Meeting with Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump is preparing to unveil a new peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza, as he meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. This marks Netanyahu’s fourth visit to Washington since Trump returned to office earlier this year, underscoring the urgency and complexity of the conflict.

Trump expressed optimism before the talks, telling reporters: “I think we have a deal.” Yet, uncertainty remains. Netanyahu has said the plan is “not finalized,” while Hamas insists it has not received any official details of the proposal.

Key Elements of the Plan

According to leaked documents reported by American and Israeli media, the peace proposal includes:

• Hostage Exchange: All Israeli hostages held in Gaza would be released within 48 hours of the deal. In return, Israel would free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many serving life sentences.

• Future of Hamas: Hamas members who agree to peace would be granted amnesty and safe passage out of Gaza. The group would have no future political or military role in the territory, and all Hamas military infrastructure would be dismantled.

• Israeli Withdrawal: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would gradually pull out from Gaza, allowing the creation of an interim transitional government.

• Palestinian Authority Role: After reforms, the Palestinian Authority (PA) would be allowed to govern Gaza, marking a dramatic shift in the Trump administration’s earlier position, which once suggested removing Gaza’s entire population and redeveloping the territory.

• Acknowledgment of Palestinian Statehood Aspirations: The plan recognizes Palestinians’ long-term goal of statehood, a red line Netanyahu has consistently opposed.

Strong Opposition Inside Israel

Despite Trump’s pressure, Netanyahu faces steep resistance from his far-right coalition. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have openly rejected any plan mentioning a Palestinian state or granting the PA influence in Gaza. Ben-Gvir has declared that Netanyahu has “no mandate” to end the war without achieving a “decisive defeat of Hamas.”

Yet opposition leader Yair Lapid has offered Netanyahu political cover, saying he supports a hostage deal and an end to the war. According to Lapid, Netanyahu has a majority in both parliament and among the Israeli public, despite threats from ultranationalist allies.

Rising Pressure on Netanyahu

Polls suggest Netanyahu is under increasing public pressure, especially from families of the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza—20 of whom are believed to still be alive. Trump himself is reportedly frustrated, particularly after Israeli airstrikes earlier this month targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar, a key US ally.

Trump has also drawn a firm line against any Israeli move to annex the West Bank, warning that such an action would derail diplomatic momentum.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Over 66,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack that killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and took 251 hostages.

The UN has confirmed famine conditions in Gaza City, and a recent UN commission accused Israel of committing genocide—a charge Israel strongly denies. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled Gaza City amid relentless Israeli ground operations.

Regional Diplomacy

Trump has also sought backing from Middle Eastern leaders, meeting counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey during the UN General Assembly. US envoy Steve Witkoff said the administration was “hopeful and even confident” that a breakthrough could be reached soon.

Trump himself posted online: “We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!”

Whether the plan succeeds will depend not only on Trump and Netanyahu but also on Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel’s deeply divided political leadership. For now, the world watches closely as Washington attempts once again to broker peace in one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.

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