During a meeting in Washington, President Trump expressed optimism about ceasefire talks in Gaza, suggesting Hamas is ready for negotiations. Netanyahu downplayed prospects for full Palestinian statehood while facing protestors and war crime allegations. The ongoing discussions aim for a 60-day truce but face significant challenges.
Optimism Surrounds Gaza Ceasefire Talks at Trump-Netanyahu Meeting
Optimism Surrounds Gaza Ceasefire Talks at Trump-Netanyahu Meeting
President Trump hosts Israeli PM Netanyahu, expressing hope for a ceasefire in Gaza, amidst ongoing negotiations and protests.
US President Donald Trump has indicated a positive outlook regarding ceasefire talks in Gaza, as he welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. Trump stated that discussions to halt the ongoing conflict have been progressing, asserting, "They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire," signaling confidence in Hamas's willingness to negotiate the end of the 21-month war.
The meeting between the two leaders followed recent indirect ceasefire efforts held in Qatar, which concluded without major advances, yet continued negotiations are scheduled for this week. When questioned about hindrances to a peace agreement in Gaza, Trump claimed, "I don't think there is a hold-up. I think things are going along very well." Meanwhile, Netanyahu communicated that he is collaborating with the U.S. to explore options for relocating Palestinians, a plan the Palestinian presidency has vocally opposed, emphasizing that such relocation would breach international law.
Netanyahu also signaled a reluctance to pursue full Palestinian statehood, asserting Israel's perpetual security control over the Gaza Strip. "Now, people will say it's not a complete state, it's not a state. We don't care," he stated, which could reflect a significant ideological division regarding the future of Palestinians.
During the meeting, Netanyahu nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, acknowledging his efforts in fostering peace in the region. Trump has expressed a desire to be firm with Netanyahu regarding the urgency of concluding the war and suggested an imminent deal could materialize this week. Initially, the White House labeled the dinner between the leaders private, diverging from Trump's typical public approach with international leaders.
Discussions around a U.S.-backed ceasefire tentatively propose that Hamas release hostages in exchange for a 60-day truce while Israel would need to return Palestinian prisoners and withdraw from parts of Gaza. However, the path to a resolution remains complicated, particularly over the role of humanitarian aid and operational dynamics concerning the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
The timing of Netanyahu's visit coincided with widespread public demonstrations where activists gathered in Washington, displaying Palestinian flags and demanding accountability regarding alleged war crimes linked to both Netanyahu and high-ranking Israeli officials, leading to their indictment by the International Criminal Court.
Ongoing negotiations in Doha resumed over the weekend, although no significant deal was reached in recent discussions. As talks proceed, key figures like U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff continue to engage in attempts to facilitate a ceasefire. In light of the escalating conflict and strategic interactions with Iran, which Trump also appears ready to engage diplomatically, efforts to stabilize conditions in Gaza are seen as a critical priority by the Trump administration.
