President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel were scheduled to meet at the White House to discuss the latest U.S.-backed plans for postwar Gaza, aiming to resolve the two-year conflict. This marks their fourth meeting since Mr. Trump returned to office in January. Each previous encounter offered brief hopes for a cease-fire, but the fighting in Gaza has tragically persisted, claiming the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
These discussions are centered on international efforts to develop concrete proposals for governing Gaza once the war concludes. The Trump administration is reportedly considering an idea put forth by Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, while France and several Arab governments have also presented their own plans.
The meeting unfolds against a backdrop of increasing global pressure and Israel’s deepening international isolation. Notably, Britain, France, and other European nations have announced their recognition of a Palestinian state, a move Israel strongly opposes. President Trump, while a staunch supporter of Israel, has voiced his impatience with the prolonged war and explicitly stated he ‘will not allow’ Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank — a territory Palestinians envision as part of a future state. Doubts linger about the extent of Mr. Trump’s willingness to leverage his position if Mr. Netanyahu resists proposed peace plans, especially given Netanyahu’s past rejections of compromise in favor of continuing the campaign against Hamas. His far-right coalition allies advocate for indefinite Israeli control over Gaza and the re-establishment of Jewish settlements there.
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel meets with President Trump to discuss the future of Gaza, he is facing pressure from his right-wing coalition partners to take a hard line. Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli government’s far-right finance minister, stated on Monday that he had conveyed several “red lines” to Netanyahu. These include a permanent Israeli military presence in Gaza and absolutely no involvement in Gaza for the internationally-backed Palestinian Authority, which considers itself the rightful government of a future Palestinian state. Smotrich’s demands could significantly complicate any accord acceptable to Israel, the United States, and their Arab partners, let alone Hamas. Netanyahu’s critics suggest he often prioritizes satisfying his right-wing allies over pursuing a realistic cease-fire deal to free the remaining hostages in Gaza, an allegation Netanyahu disputes.
On Sunday, Mr. Netanyahu expressed hope that Israel could ‘make it a go’ on Mr. Trump’s proposal, stating in an interview with Fox News that ‘We’re working on it; it’s not been finalized yet.’ He also hinted at a willingness to grant amnesty to Hamas members if they ceased fighting and released the remaining hostages abducted to Gaza on October 7, 2023. That surprise attack on Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, with hundreds taken captive. Israel’s subsequent counterattack in Gaza has since killed over 65,000 people, including thousands of children, according to Gaza health officials, who do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Current Dynamics and Peace Proposals
- Cautious Optimism: Vice President JD Vance noted on Sunday that a ‘complicated negotiation’ is underway involving Arab leaders, Israel, and the Trump administration regarding postwar Gaza plans. While cautiously optimistic about a breakthrough, Mr. Vance cautioned that a deal could ‘get derailed at the very last minute.’
- Cease-fire Standoff: Hamas reported on Sunday that it had not yet formally received the latest cease-fire proposal. Negotiations have been at a standstill since Israel bombed Qatar on September 9 in an attempt to assassinate Hamas’s top leadership. This audacious attack in the Persian Gulf nation drew widespread international condemnation.
- Ongoing Conflict: Even as discussions about Gaza’s future unfold, Israeli forces continue their sweep through Gaza City, compelling hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee. Many have been displaced multiple times over the past two years, trapped in a relentless cycle of fear, hunger, and bombardment.
- International Diplomacy: The war has significantly damaged Israel’s global standing. Mr. Netanyahu is sought by the International Criminal Court on allegations of war crimes, several of Israel’s long-standing European allies have recognized a Palestinian state, and Israelis traveling abroad increasingly face protests and harassment.
- Remaining Hostages: Despite the devastating impact on Gaza and its residents, the war has not yet forced Hamas to surrender or release the remaining hostages held in the territory. Israel estimates that at least 20 living captives are still held, alongside the bodies of roughly 25 others.
The Palestinian Authority’s Potential Role in Gaza’s Future
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for his meeting with President Trump, new proposals for ending the Gaza war and governing the territory afterward are being circulated. A central question is whether the Palestinian Authority (PA) will play any part.
What is the Palestinian Authority?
The Palestinian Authority (PA) was established in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, a series of agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. It was intended as a temporary administration on the path to an independent Palestinian state. The PA governs areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and sees itself as the legitimate government for any future Palestinian state. However, its relations with Israel have been turbulent.
Mahmoud Abbas, the 89-year-old President of the Palestinian Authority since 2005, delivered a video address to the U.N. General Assembly last week, accusing Israel of committing ‘war crimes’ in Gaza. He spoke remotely because the Trump administration denied entry visas to him and his delegation for national security reasons. There have been no Palestinian national elections since 2006, despite his initial four-year term.
Critics often accuse Abbas’s administration of corruption and authoritarianism. Recent opinion polls indicate that most Palestinians desire his resignation. Israeli officials have also long criticized the Authority for mismanagement and fostering hostility towards Israel, with Mr. Netanyahu himself stating at the U.N. last week, ‘The Palestinian Authority is corrupt to the core.’
Conversely, supporters of the Palestinian Authority argue that its corruption is no worse than other governments in the Arab world, and that the Israeli occupation significantly hinders its ability to succeed.
What does recognition of a Palestinian state mean?
This month, several nations, including traditional Israeli allies such as France, Britain, and Canada, recognized Palestinian statehood. This action follows similar recognition by nearly 150 other nations, with more expected to follow. While largely a symbolic gesture affirming Palestinian self-determination, this move has deepened Israel’s international isolation. Both Israel and its allies in Washington oppose the recognition of Palestinian statehood, viewing it as a reward for Hamas, the Islamist group that has controlled Gaza for years and initiated the 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the current war.
Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are long-standing rivals for the leadership of the Palestinian people. Angered by the international endorsements of Palestinian statehood, Israeli officials have suggested that Israel might annex parts of the occupied West Bank in retaliation. However, Mr. Trump publicly stated last week that he would not permit such annexation.
Postwar Governance Proposals and the PA
Efforts to end the Gaza war continue to face considerable obstacles. Israel and Hamas remain at odds over crucial issues, and Israel intensified its military campaign recently with a ground offensive to take over Gaza City.
Mr. Abbas has declared Gaza an integral part of a future Palestinian state. Last week, he affirmed his government’s readiness to assume responsibility for the enclave, pledging that Hamas would have no role in its governance after the war.
Among several new proposals for ending the conflict and overseeing Gaza afterward, one suggests that the Palestinian Authority would play a limited governing role. However, given existing criticisms of the Authority’s corruption, this proposal mandates significant reforms, including changes to its security practices.
Another proposal, known as the New York declaration, supported by 142 countries and spearheaded by France and Saudi Arabia, suggests that postwar Gaza could be governed by a transitional committee operating under the Palestinian Authority, with elections to be held within a year of a cease-fire. Hamas, however, stated on Sunday that it had not received any new proposals from mediators, indicating that cease-fire negotiations remain stalled.
The Palestinian Authority’s Relationship with Hamas
A deep-seated feud has long divided the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. In 2006, Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections, narrowly defeating Mr. Abbas’s rival Fatah movement. The following year, Hamas violently ousted the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority from the Gaza Strip, seizing full control. Various attempts at reconciliation between the factions have failed.
Mr. Abbas has condemned the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, and asserts that Palestinians desire a modern state and a peaceful transition of power. He maintains there is no place for an armed Hamas in that vision, calling on the group to lay down its weapons. Hamas, in turn, rejected Mr. Abbas’s assertion that the group would have no role in a Gaza government after the war, calling it ‘an infringement on our Palestinian people’s inherent right to self-determination.’ Hamas also declared it will not lay down its weapons ‘as long as the occupation continues.’
Ephrat Livni contributed reporting.