Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel arrived at the White House for crucial discussions with President Trump regarding the latest U.S.-backed plans for postwar Gaza. Leaders hope these talks could finally lead to a resolution for the devastating two-year conflict.
This marks the fourth meeting between the two leaders since Mr. Trump’s return to office in January. While previous encounters briefly sparked hopes for a cease-fire, the fighting has tragically persisted, claiming the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
These high-level talks are unfolding amidst intensified international efforts to craft concrete proposals for governing Gaza once the war concludes. The Trump administration is reportedly weighing an idea presented by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, while France and several Arab nations have also put forth their own plans.
The meeting occurs during a period of deepening international isolation for Israel. Notably, Britain, France, and other European countries recently announced their recognition of a Palestinian state, a move met with strong Israeli objections.
Despite his long-standing support for Israel, Mr. Trump has expressed growing impatience with the ongoing war. He has publicly stated he “will not allow” Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, an area many Palestinians envision as part of a future state. However, the extent of leverage Mr. Trump is willing to exert if Mr. Netanyahu resists the current peace initiatives for Gaza remains unclear.
In prior negotiations, Mr. Netanyahu has consistently rejected compromises, preferring to press ahead with military action against Hamas. His far-right coalition allies advocate for indefinite Israeli control over Gaza and the re-establishment of Jewish settlements there.
On Sunday, Mr. Netanyahu conveyed cautious optimism regarding Mr. Trump’s proposal, stating on Fox News, “We’re working on it; it’s not been finalized yet. I hope we can make it a go.” He even hinted at a willingness to grant amnesty to Hamas members if they agree to end the war and release the remaining hostages abducted during Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and hundreds taken captive.
Tragically, Israel’s subsequent counterattack in Gaza has now caused over 65,000 fatalities, including thousands of children, according to Gaza health officials. Their figures do not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties.
Here’s what else is unfolding:
- Cautious optimism: Vice President JD Vance described the ongoing discussions between Arab leaders, Israel, and the Trump administration regarding postwar Gaza plans as a “complicated negotiation.” While expressing guarded hope for a breakthrough, Mr. Vance cautioned that any deal could still “get derailed at the very last minute.”
- Cease-fire negotiations: Hamas reported on Sunday that it has not yet formally received the latest cease-fire proposal. Negotiations have been stalled since Israel’s bombing of Qatar on September 9, an attempt to assassinate Hamas’s top leadership that drew widespread international condemnation.
- Latest fighting: Even as discussions about Gaza’s future take place, Israeli forces continue their operations in Gaza City, forcing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee. Many have endured multiple displacements over the past two years, trapped in a seemingly unending cycle of fear, hunger, and bombardment.
- International diplomacy: The conflict has severely damaged Israel’s global standing. Mr. Netanyahu faces allegations of war crimes by the International Criminal Court, several of Israel’s long-standing European allies have recognized a Palestinian state despite Israeli objections, and ordinary Israelis traveling abroad are increasingly encountering protests and harassment.
- Remaining hostages: Despite the immense human toll on Gaza and its residents, the war has not compelled Hamas to surrender or release the remaining captives. Israel estimates that at least 20 living hostages and the bodies of approximately 25 others are still held in the territory.
The families of Israeli hostages are fervently hoping that the meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump will lead to the immediate release of their loved ones from Gaza. While many have been freed, around 20 hostages are still believed to be alive from the 2023 Hamas-led attack that ignited the conflict. Many families are urging Trump to compel Netanyahu to accept an agreement if necessary, fearing that the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza City could endanger their surviving family members. Ilana Gritzewsky, a freed hostage whose partner, Matan, remains captive, pleaded this week, “President Trump, you have the power to end the war and bring all the hostages home.”
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with President Trump to discuss Gaza’s future, he faces significant pressure from his right-wing coalition partners to maintain a hard line. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, outlined several “red lines” to Netanyahu on Monday. These include a permanent Israeli military presence in Gaza and absolutely no involvement for the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank and views itself as the legitimate government of a future Palestinian state. Smotrich’s demands threaten to complicate any agreement acceptable to Israel, the United States, and their Arab partners, let alone Hamas. Critics suggest Netanyahu often prioritizes his right-wing allies over a pragmatic cease-fire that could free the remaining hostages, an accusation Netanyahu denies.
As President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel prepare for their White House meeting, several new proposals aimed at ending the fighting in Gaza and establishing postwar governance are actively being discussed. This year’s U.N. General Assembly was largely dominated by debate surrounding the conflict and the future of the embattled territory. At the close of the sessions last week, President Trump expressed optimism about reaching a peace deal.
However, Mr. Trump has made similar pronouncements before, and considerable obstacles continue to hinder any efforts to halt the fighting. Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas remain deeply at odds over several core issues, and the conflict has intensified recently with an Israeli ground offensive to take over Gaza City. Speaking at the United Nations on Friday, Mr. Netanyahu reiterated his determination to proceed with the Gaza City campaign. Meanwhile, Hamas stated on Sunday that it had not received any new proposals from mediators, indicating that cease-fire negotiations remain at a standstill.
These are some of the latest plans being put forward to end the war, establish a new system of postwar governance, and address the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza:
The Trump plan
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy for peace missions, recently presented the broad outlines of an American peace plan during a meeting with leaders from Arab and Muslim-majority countries at the U.N. last week. According to an Arab official and another source familiar with the sensitive discussions, the plan proposes that Hamas would agree to return all living hostages and the remains of former captives within 48 hours of the agreement. Furthermore, Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence with Israel would be granted amnesty, and those wishing to leave Gaza would be guaranteed safe passage. The American proposal also includes a commitment from both sides to initiate a new dialogue on peaceful coexistence, along with a pledge that Israel will cease all attacks on Qatar, as reported by a senior White House official. Qatar, a crucial U.S. ally, has played a central role as a mediator in Gaza cease-fire negotiations alongside Egypt. However, Israel’s airstrikes on the Qatari capital, Doha, on September 9 — a failed attempt to assassinate Hamas officials — angered U.S. officials. The success of Mr. Trump’s efforts to end the war will largely hinge on his willingness to pressure Mr. Netanyahu, who remains defiant and committed to his military campaign until Israel achieves its objectives. Netanyahu’s resolve has only hardened following the recent recognition of a Palestinian state by multiple Western countries. In a Sunday interview with Fox News, Mr. Netanyahu confirmed that Israel and the United States are still refining the plan and chose not to disclose details prematurely. “We’re working on it; it’s not been finalized yet,” he said. “I hope we can make it a go.”
The Blair plan
One proposal suggests that Gaza be governed by an entity called the Gaza International Transitional Authority, with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair reportedly being considered for a leadership role in overseeing Gaza post-conflict, according to three informed sources. This Transitional Authority would be supported by a multinational security force tasked with securing border crossings, preventing the resurgence of armed groups, disrupting weapons smuggling, and neutralizing asymmetric threats, as outlined in a version of the proposal reviewed by The Times. The Blair proposal also addresses Palestinian fears of permanent displacement from Gaza, ensuring that the Transitional Authority would issue “protected departure certificates” guaranteeing the right of return for those who leave. The version of the proposal seen by The Times did not explicitly mention Hamas, the group responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that ignited the war. However, it did specify a limited governing role for the Palestinian Authority, a rival to Hamas that administers parts of the West Bank, is considered more moderate, and cooperates with Israel on security. While Israeli officials have often criticized the Palestinian Authority for corruption, mismanagement, and fostering hostility toward Israel, this proposal calls for significant reforms to the Authority, including its security practices. It further stipulates that the proposed Transitional Authority and the Palestinian Authority should make decisions “consistent with the eventual unifying of all the Palestinian territory under the” Palestinian Authority.
The French-Saudi plan
A third significant proposal, known as the New York declaration, has garnered support from 142 countries at the General Assembly. This initiative, spearheaded by France and Saudi Arabia, calls for Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the deployment of an international security force organized by the U.N. Under this plan, Hamas would be prohibited from governing Gaza and would agree to transfer its weapons to the Palestinian Authority. Postwar Gaza would then be governed by a transitional committee composed of technocrats, operating under the Palestinian Authority’s umbrella, with a commitment to hold elections within a year of a cease-fire. Ephrat Livni and Maggie Haberman contributed reporting.