Trump Hails Near-Deal in Gaza Talks, But Netanyahu’s Defiance Casts Shadow Over White House Summit
Washington: As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for his latest White House appearance, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about an imminent breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire negotiations, describing the discussions as reaching their “final stages.” In a recent interview with Axios, Trump outlined a multifaceted agreement involving Israel, Hamas, and several Arab states, aimed at not only halting the ongoing conflict but also laying groundwork for broader regional stability.
Trump emphasized the collaborative spirit driving the talks, noting that “everybody has come together to get a deal, but we still have to get it done.” He praised the involvement of Arab nations, calling them “fantastic to work with,” and highlighted Hamas’s alignment with them, adding that the group holds “great respect for the Arab world.” According to the president, both Israel and its leadership, including Netanyahu whom he affectionately calls “Bibi”share a genuine desire for peace. “The Arab world wants peace, Israel wants peace, and Bibi wants peace,” Trump stated.
The proposed arrangement, Trump explained, extends beyond an immediate truce in Gaza to revive long-stalled efforts for comprehensive Middle East peace. “If we get this done, it will be a great day for Israel and for the Middle East. It will be the first chance for real peace in the Middle East. But we have to get it done first,” he told Axios.
Yet, Netanyahu’s recent rhetoric offers scant encouragement for such hopes. During a resolute speech at the United Nations last Friday, the Israeli leader vowed to “finish the job” against Hamas and firmly rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state, despite recent recognitions by several key Western countries. His government shows no signs of easing a fierce military campaign in Gaza City, which has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians in recent weeks.
This upcoming encounter marks Netanyahu’s fourth trip to the White House since Trump’s return to office in January. The U.S. president, who once boasted of resolving the conflict in mere days, has grown visibly impatient with the protracted violence. A longtime supporter of Netanyahu, Trump recently issued pointed cautions: He admonished against any West Bank annexation pushed by members of the Israeli cabinet and criticized a targeted strike on Hamas figures in Qatar, a vital U.S. partner.
Experts suggest the summit’s success hinges on Trump’s readiness to apply leverage on Netanyahu, who remains skeptical of concessions demanded by both Israel and Hamas. Natan Sachs, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, observed that the deal’s viability will turn on the intensity of U.S. pressure to bridge the gaps.
The two allies are set to hold a joint news conference at 1:15 p.m. Eastern Time (1715 GMT) following their discussions on Monday.