US President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Monday, while expressing confidence in reaching a Gaza agreement.
"I am, I'm very confident," Trump told reporters as he greeted Netanyahu when asked if he was confident there would be peace in Gaza. He reiterated being "very confident" when questioned about all parties’ acceptance of the 21-point plan aimed at ending the nearly two-year conflict, securing hostage releases, and disarming Palestinian militants.
This comes a day after Trump met key Arab leaders at the United Nations , posting on social media that "ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER."
However, Netanyahu's UN speech on Friday showed little promise, as he pledged to "finish the job" against Hamas and dismissed Palestinian statehood, despite recent recognition by several Western nations.
A joint news conference is scheduled for 1.15 pm (1715 GMT), as announced by the White House, suggesting Trump's anticipation of a breakthrough.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Monday that achieving an acceptable agreement requires compromises from both parties, potentially leaving neither fully satisfied.
Hamas has not responded to the proposal.
According to The Times of Israel and US news site Axios, Trump's proposal includes an immediate ceasefire, staged Israeli withdrawal and hostage release within 48 hours.
The plan involves Israel releasing over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences.
Despite typically supporting Netanyahu, the US president has shown growing frustration before the Israeli leader's fourth White House visit since Trump's return to office.
Israel's recent strike on Hamas members in Qatar, a key US ally, angered Trump.
He cautioned Netanyahu against West Bank annexation, which some cabinet members advocate, as it would impede Palestinian statehood prospects.
Netanyahu's government relies on far-right ministers opposing peace agreements.
Both Israeli and Arab states continue debating crucial peace plan elements, including international force deployment and the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority's role in post-war Gaza. "The likelihood of... a reformed Palestinian Authority that changes completely its stripes, that accepts a Jewish state... well, good luck," Netanyahu told Fox News on Sunday.
Voices from Gaza
Israeli military operations continued throughout Gaza, with at least four casualties in Khan Yunis, according to the Hamas-administered territory's civil defence agency. Israeli hostages' families urged Trump to maintain his Gaza proposal.
"We respectfully ask you to stand firm against any attempts to sabotage the deal you have brought forth," stated the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in an open letter to Trump.
Gazans expressed mixed reactions before the White House meeting. I don't expect anything from Trump, because Trump supports Netanyahu in destroying the Gaza Strip and displacing people to carry out the Riviera project," said Mohammed Abu Rabee, 34, referring to Trump's earlier proposal to transform the Palestinian territory into the "Riviera of the Middle East."
The resolution may depend on Trump's pressure on Netanyahu, according to Natan Sachs, a Middle East Institute senior fellow. "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," Sachs told AFP.
The conflict began with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, killing 1,219 people, predominantly civilians, based on AFP's analysis of Israeli official figures.
Israel's military response has resulted in 66,055 Palestinian casualties, mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run territory's health ministry figures, which the United Nations deems reliable.
"I am, I'm very confident," Trump told reporters as he greeted Netanyahu when asked if he was confident there would be peace in Gaza. He reiterated being "very confident" when questioned about all parties’ acceptance of the 21-point plan aimed at ending the nearly two-year conflict, securing hostage releases, and disarming Palestinian militants.
This comes a day after Trump met key Arab leaders at the United Nations , posting on social media that "ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER."
“Very confident!”
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) September 29, 2025
President Trump welcomes the Prime Minister of Israel to the White House 🇺🇸🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/9Q5L42yi5m
However, Netanyahu's UN speech on Friday showed little promise, as he pledged to "finish the job" against Hamas and dismissed Palestinian statehood, despite recent recognition by several Western nations.
A joint news conference is scheduled for 1.15 pm (1715 GMT), as announced by the White House, suggesting Trump's anticipation of a breakthrough.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Monday that achieving an acceptable agreement requires compromises from both parties, potentially leaving neither fully satisfied.
Hamas has not responded to the proposal.
According to The Times of Israel and US news site Axios, Trump's proposal includes an immediate ceasefire, staged Israeli withdrawal and hostage release within 48 hours.
The plan involves Israel releasing over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences.
Despite typically supporting Netanyahu, the US president has shown growing frustration before the Israeli leader's fourth White House visit since Trump's return to office.
Israel's recent strike on Hamas members in Qatar, a key US ally, angered Trump.
He cautioned Netanyahu against West Bank annexation, which some cabinet members advocate, as it would impede Palestinian statehood prospects.
Netanyahu's government relies on far-right ministers opposing peace agreements.
Both Israeli and Arab states continue debating crucial peace plan elements, including international force deployment and the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority's role in post-war Gaza. "The likelihood of... a reformed Palestinian Authority that changes completely its stripes, that accepts a Jewish state... well, good luck," Netanyahu told Fox News on Sunday.
Voices from Gaza
Israeli military operations continued throughout Gaza, with at least four casualties in Khan Yunis, according to the Hamas-administered territory's civil defence agency. Israeli hostages' families urged Trump to maintain his Gaza proposal.
"We respectfully ask you to stand firm against any attempts to sabotage the deal you have brought forth," stated the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in an open letter to Trump.
Gazans expressed mixed reactions before the White House meeting. I don't expect anything from Trump, because Trump supports Netanyahu in destroying the Gaza Strip and displacing people to carry out the Riviera project," said Mohammed Abu Rabee, 34, referring to Trump's earlier proposal to transform the Palestinian territory into the "Riviera of the Middle East."
The resolution may depend on Trump's pressure on Netanyahu, according to Natan Sachs, a Middle East Institute senior fellow. "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," Sachs told AFP.
The conflict began with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, killing 1,219 people, predominantly civilians, based on AFP's analysis of Israeli official figures.
Israel's military response has resulted in 66,055 Palestinian casualties, mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run territory's health ministry figures, which the United Nations deems reliable.
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