President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House today for critical discussions on the future of Gaza, a meeting that has sparked both anticipation and apprehension. Amidst a tense atmosphere in the State Dining Room, the leaders delved into the latest US-backed proposals aimed at ending the protracted conflict.
Mr. Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, has recently expressed impatience with the ongoing war, notably stating that he ‘will not allow’ Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. This stance adds a layer of pressure to the negotiations, as Prime Minister Netanyahu has historically shown a preference for pressing on with the conflict against Hamas rather than embracing compromise. Adding to the complexity, Hamas has stated it was not consulted on the current cease-fire proposals.
**The Emerging Peace Proposals:**
Several new frameworks are currently under consideration to halt the fighting in Gaza and establish a post-war governance structure:
* **The Trump Plan:** Outlined by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff at the U.N. General Assembly, this American peace plan mandates that Hamas return all living hostages and the remains of deceased captives within 48 hours of an agreement. It proposes amnesty for Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence with Israel, offering safe passage out of Gaza for those choosing to leave. The plan also calls for a new dialogue on peaceful coexistence between all parties and a pledge from Israel to cease attacks on Qatar. However, Hamas has publicly refused demands to disarm, asserting its weapons are ‘legitimate’ tools to fight Israel, and stated they haven’t seen the finalized plan.
* **The Blair Plan:** Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has emerged as a potential leader in Gaza’s reconstruction. He advocates for a Gaza International Transitional Authority, a U.N.-mandated administration supported by a multinational security force. This force would secure borders, prevent armed group resurgence, and stop weapon smuggling. The plan includes ‘protected departure certificates’ to guarantee Palestinians the right to return to their homes if they leave Gaza. While not explicitly mentioning Hamas, it outlines a limited role for the Palestinian Authority, emphasizing significant reforms to address criticisms of corruption and security practices.
* **The French-Saudi Plan (New York Declaration):** Gaining support from 142 countries at the General Assembly, this proposal calls for Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the deployment of a U.N.-organized international security force. It prohibits Hamas from governing Gaza and requires the group to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority. Post-war Gaza would be governed by a transitional committee of technocrats operating under the Palestinian Authority, with elections held within a year of a cease-fire.
**The Palestinian Authority’s Contested Role:**
A central question in these discussions is the role of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Gaza’s future. The PA, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, views itself as the legitimate government of any future Palestinian state. Established by the Oslo Accords in 1994, it was initially conceived as a temporary administration. However, relations with Israel remain strained, and PA President Mahmoud Abbas recently accused Israel of ‘war crimes’ in Gaza during a video address to the U.N. General Assembly. His delegation was denied entry visas by the Trump administration on national security grounds. Critics, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, label the PA as corrupt and authoritarian, with polls showing many Palestinians desire Abbas’s resignation.
Despite these challenges, Abbas maintains that Gaza is an integral part of a future Palestinian state and has expressed the PA’s willingness to take responsibility for the enclave, explicitly stating that Hamas would have no governing role. Hamas, however, has rejected this assertion, calling it an ‘infringement on our Palestinian people’s inherent right to self-determination’ and vowing not to disarm while ‘the occupation continues.’ The deep-seated feud between Hamas and the PA, which saw Hamas violently oust the PA from Gaza in 2007, remains a significant hurdle.
**Diplomatic Tensions and Hostage Crisis:**
The meeting also addressed recent diplomatic friction. Netanyahu apologized for Israel’s missile strike in Qatar in September, which targeted Hamas leaders during hostage negotiations and resulted in the death of a Qatari service member. He pledged that such an attack would not be repeated. This apology, however, drew sharp criticism from far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s government, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who called it a ‘disgrace’ and defended the attack.
Meanwhile, the families of Israeli hostages are desperately hoping the White House talks lead to the immediate release of the approximately 20 individuals still believed to be alive. Many are urging President Trump to compel Netanyahu to accept an agreement, fearing that continued Israeli military operations in Gaza City could endanger their loved ones’ lives. As a White House news conference remained an hour late, the release of a ‘lengthy plan to end the Gaza conflict’ by the administration signaled that negotiations were intensifying, even if a comprehensive deal remained elusive and unpredictable.