Trump-Netanyahu Talks Could Shape Gaza Ceasefire Plan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington as global pressure mounts to end Israel’s war in Gaza. The meeting follows growing isolation for Israel, a fragile political coalition at home, and Trump’s recent calls for a ceasefire deal. A U.S.-backed proposal outlines a multi-phase peace plan, though major hurdles remain.
Netanyahu-Trump Gaza Talks Quick Looks
- Netanyahu to meet Trump in Washington amid growing pressure to end Gaza war
- U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal includes hostage release, Hamas disarmament, and Israeli withdrawal
- Israel’s global support waning; allies criticize humanitarian crisis and urge ceasefire
- Trump has backed Netanyahu but tensions have emerged over failed strikes and Gaza strategy
- Ceasefire plan excludes Palestinian expulsion, seeks international force in Gaza
- Hamas briefed on the plan but has not received a formal offer
- Palestinian technocratic committee may govern post-war Gaza before power shifts to PA
- Genocide allegations and calls for Palestinian statehood amplify international scrutiny
Trump-Netanyahu Talks Could Shape Gaza Ceasefire Plan
Deep Look
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing for a high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, just days after defying international calls to halt Israel’s war in Gaza. The meeting, scheduled for Monday, comes as Israel faces increasing global isolation, a shaky political situation at home, and signs of diminishing patience from its closest ally.
The upcoming talks between Netanyahu and Trump could prove pivotal. Netanyahu, once firmly backed by a wide network of Western allies, now finds himself largely supported only by the U.S., and even that backing is beginning to show signs of strain. Domestically, Netanyahu’s governing coalition is splintered, and calls for a more definitive end to the conflict are growing louder.
According to experts, Trump may pressure Netanyahu to move toward a ceasefire. While the U.S. president has consistently supported Israel throughout the conflict, he has begun publicly signaling a desire to reach a final peace agreement. In a recent social media post, Trump said, “We have a real chance for greatness in the Middle East,” suggesting a deal is within reach.
Trump and Netanyahu are expected to meet in the Oval Office, followed by a joint press conference. Observers describe the meeting as one of the most significant between the two leaders, with Israel’s war footing and political future potentially hanging in the balance.
Analysts suggest that Netanyahu may be forced to make a difficult choice between preserving his governing coalition — which includes hardline factions that oppose any ceasefire — and aligning with Trump’s diplomatic agenda. If the U.S. applies pressure for an end to the war, Netanyahu may seek conditions such as dismantling Hamas and retaining the right for Israel to resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas regains power or resumes attacks.
Despite years of cooperation, including during Israel’s brief war with Iran earlier this year, tensions between Trump and Netanyahu have recently surfaced. Frustration reportedly grew following a failed Israeli strike targeting Hamas officials in Qatar — a U.S. regional ally involved in ceasefire negotiations.
Trump’s administration also raised concerns when it publicly opposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank, an idea pushed by some members of Netanyahu’s coalition. Though some experts downplayed the statement, suggesting it may have helped Netanyahu counter domestic pressure, it also highlighted Washington’s balancing act between Israeli interests and regional diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Trump has been raising expectations for a ceasefire deal. His administration has reportedly drafted a 21-point peace plan that includes an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages within 48 hours, and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The plan also envisions an international peacekeeping force to manage post-war security and governance in Gaza.
Three Arab officials familiar with the plan say it does not include the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, a position Trump had flirted with earlier this year. It would also disarm Hamas and remove the group from power, with temporary civilian governance handed over to a Palestinian technocratic committee, followed eventually by a restructured Palestinian Authority.
However, the plan faces significant hurdles. Hamas is believed to hold 48 hostages, with only 20 still thought to be alive. The group has said it will not disarm and continues to demand a full Israeli withdrawal and recognition of a Palestinian state.
Although Hamas has been briefed on the U.S. proposal, it has not yet received a formal offer through Qatari or Egyptian mediators. A Hamas official stated that the group remains opposed to disarmament and links its military capability to the broader struggle for Palestinian independence.
In a recent interview, Netanyahu acknowledged ongoing discussions with U.S. officials and expressed hope that a breakthrough could be achieved. In his address at the United Nations last Friday, he praised Trump repeatedly, describing him as a leader who understands the shared threats facing Israel and the U.S.
Nevertheless, Israel’s international standing has deteriorated sharply. Many nations that previously stood behind Israel are now openly critical. At a recent U.N. Security Council session, representatives voiced horror over Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel but also denounced Israel’s prolonged offensive and called for a humanitarian ceasefire.
The Gaza Health Ministry, operating under the Hamas-run administration, estimates that more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict. The fighting has displaced roughly 90% of Gaza’s population, with famine affecting large swaths of the region.
Twenty-eight Western-aligned countries that had supported Israel early in the war have now shifted their positions, demanding an end to the violence and criticizing Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid. Ten countries, including the UK, Canada, France, and Australia, have formally recognized Palestinian statehood, in a bid to revive the long-stalled peace process.
Accusations of genocide — including from Arab nations, human rights groups, and international legal experts — have further complicated Israel’s diplomatic standing. The International Court of Justice is currently reviewing genocide allegations filed by South Africa, charges Israel strongly denies.
As Netanyahu and Trump prepare for their Oval Office meeting, some U.S. officials and analysts remain skeptical about a swift resolution. Veteran Middle East advisor Aaron David Miller warned that optimism may be premature, citing the many unresolved aspects of the conflict.
“The more crowing that is done about how we’re in the final stages,” Miller said, “the more skeptical I become.”
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