In a highly anticipated meeting at the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump convened to discuss the intricate U.S.-backed plans for post-war Gaza. The talks aim to find a resolution to the two-year conflict that has tragically claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives.
This marks the fourth encounter between the two leaders since President Trump’s return to office in January. While previous discussions briefly ignited hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza, the relentless fighting has persisted. This time, the discussions are particularly urgent, focusing on concrete proposals for governing Gaza once hostilities cease. The Trump administration is reportedly considering ideas put forth by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, alongside various plans proposed by France and several Arab governments.
A Deepening International Rift
The meeting takes place against a backdrop of increasing international isolation for Israel. In recent weeks, nations including Britain, France, and other European countries have announced their recognition of a Palestinian state, a move that Israel vehemently opposes. President Trump, despite his historical support for Israel, has expressed impatience with the prolonged conflict and has explicitly stated he "will not allow" Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, an area many Palestinians envision as part of their future state. The extent of his leverage to sway Netanyahu if the latest peace proposals are resisted remains uncertain.
Netanyahu has a history of rejecting compromises, opting instead to intensify the campaign against Hamas. His far-right coalition partners harbor ambitions of indefinite control over Gaza and the expansion of Jewish settlements in the territory. On Sunday, Netanyahu indicated cautious optimism regarding Trump’s proposal during an interview with Fox News, stating, "We’re working on it; it’s not been finalized yet. I hope we can make it a go." He also hinted at a willingness to offer amnesty to Hamas members, provided they cease fighting and release the remaining hostages abducted during the October 7, 2023, surprise attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in hundreds of captives.
The scale of devastation in Gaza is immense, with health officials reporting over 65,000 fatalities, including thousands of children. These figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Key Developments and Challenges:
- Cautious Optimism: Vice President JD Vance described the ongoing talks as a "complicated negotiation" involving Arab leaders, Israel, and the Trump administration. He expressed guarded hope for a breakthrough but acknowledged that any deal could be "derailed at the very last minute."
- Stalled Ceasefire Talks: Hamas stated that it has yet to formally receive the latest ceasefire proposal. Negotiations have been at a standstill since September 9, when Israel conducted airstrikes on Qatar in an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate top Hamas leadership, an act that garnered international condemnation.
- Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis: Despite diplomatic efforts, Israeli forces continue their sweep through Gaza City, causing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee. Many have been displaced multiple times over the past two years, enduring a cycle of fear, hunger, and bombardment.
- Eroding Global Standing: The conflict has severely damaged Israel’s international reputation. Prime Minister Netanyahu faces allegations of war crimes from the International Criminal Court, and several long-time European allies have recognized a Palestinian state. Israelis traveling abroad increasingly encounter protests and harassment.
- Unresolved Hostage Crisis: The relentless war in Gaza has not led to Hamas’s surrender or the release of all captives. Approximately 20 living hostages are still held in the territory, along with the remains of around 25 others. Families of Israeli hostages desperately hope the Trump-Netanyahu meeting will lead to their immediate release. Many urge President Trump to compel Netanyahu to accept an agreement, fearing that continued Israeli military operations in Gaza City endanger their loved ones. Ilana Gritzewsky, a freed hostage whose partner is still held, emphasized, "President Trump, you have the power to end the war and bring all the hostages home."
The Palestinian Authority’s Role in Post-War Gaza
As new proposals for ending the Gaza war circulate, a central question looms: What role will the Palestinian Authority (PA) play in the territory’s future? The PA currently governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and views itself as the legitimate government of a future Palestinian state.
What is the Palestinian Authority?
Established in 1994 following the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the PA was intended as a temporary administration on the path to an independent Palestinian state. It manages civil affairs in parts of the West Bank and collaborates with Israel on security matters, though their relationship has been consistently strained.
Mahmoud Abbas, the PA President, recently delivered a video address to the U.N. General Assembly, accusing Israel of "war crimes" in Gaza. Notably, the Trump administration had denied him and his delegation entry visas to attend the assembly in New York on national security grounds.
Who is Mahmoud Abbas?
At 89, Mahmoud Abbas has led the Palestinian Authority since 2005. Despite being elected for a four-year term, national Palestinian elections have not been held since 2006. Critics, including Israeli officials and many Palestinians in recent opinion polls, accuse his administration of corruption and authoritarianism. Netanyahu himself has publicly stated that the PA is "corrupt to the core." Supporters, however, argue that the Israeli occupation significantly impedes the PA’s ability to govern effectively.
What does recognition of a Palestinian state mean?
The recent recognition of Palestinian statehood by countries like France, Britain, and Canada, joining nearly 150 other nations, is largely a symbolic gesture affirming Palestinian self-determination. However, this move has significantly deepened Israel’s isolation. Both Israel and its U.S. allies oppose this recognition, viewing it as a reward for Hamas, the Islamist group that has historically controlled Gaza and initiated the 2023 attack that sparked the current war. The PA and Hamas are long-standing rivals for leadership among Palestinians. In response to the international endorsements, some Israeli officials have suggested annexing parts of the occupied West Bank, though President Trump has publicly opposed such actions.
What role could the Palestinian Authority play in a postwar Gaza?
Ending the Gaza conflict remains fraught with obstacles, as Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked on critical issues. Israel’s recent ground offensive in Gaza City has further intensified fighting. Mahmoud Abbas asserts that Gaza is an integral part of a future Palestinian state and has expressed the PA’s willingness to assume responsibility for the enclave, vowing that Hamas will have no role in its governance after the war.
Among the various new proposals for post-war Gaza, one suggests a limited role for the Palestinian Authority, conditioned on significant reforms, particularly in its security apparatus. Another, the "New York declaration" supported by France and Saudi Arabia and endorsed by 142 countries, proposes that a transitional committee of technocrats operate under the PA’s umbrella, with elections to be held within a year of a ceasefire. Hamas, however, has stated that it has not received any new proposals, and ceasefire negotiations remain stalled.
What is the Palestinian Authority’s relationship with Hamas?
The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have been deeply antagonistic for years. In 2006, Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections, narrowly defeating Abbas’s Fatah movement. The following year, Hamas violently expelled the Fatah-dominated PA from the Gaza Strip, establishing full control. Numerous attempts at reconciliation between the factions have failed.
Abbas has condemned the 2023 Hamas-led attack, advocating for a modern Palestinian state with a peaceful transfer of power, and called on Hamas to disarm. Hamas, however, has rejected Abbas’s vision of a Gaza government without their involvement, calling it an "infringement on our Palestinian people’s inherent right to self-determination." The group has also vowed not to lay down its weapons "as long as the occupation continues."
Amidst these high-level discussions, Prime Minister Netanyahu faces significant pressure from his right-wing coalition partners, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Smotrich has outlined "red lines" such as a permanent Israeli military presence in Gaza and no PA involvement, demands that could severely complicate any workable accord among Israel, the United States, and Arab partners, let alone Hamas. Critics argue Netanyahu often prioritizes his right-wing allies over reaching realistic ceasefire deals to free hostages, an allegation he disputes.