President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel were scheduled to meet at the White House on Monday to discuss the latest U.S.-backed plans for postwar Gaza, which they hope could lead to resolving the two-year conflict.
This will be their fourth meeting in Washington since Mr. Trump returned to office in January. Each previous meeting briefly raised hopes for a cease-fire, but the fighting in Gaza has continued relentlessly, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
This time, their discussion comes amid intensified international efforts to develop concrete proposals for governing Gaza once the war ends. The Trump administration is reportedly considering an idea from Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, while France and several Arab governments have also put forward their own plans.
The meeting occurs just a week after Israel’s international standing reportedly deepened its isolation, as Britain, France, and other European countries announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state, despite Israeli objections.
Mr. Trump, a long-standing supporter of Israel, has also expressed impatience with the prolonged conflict and stated he “will not allow” Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, a territory many Palestinians envision as part of a future state. However, it remains unclear what leverage Mr. Trump is prepared to use if Mr. Netanyahu resists the latest proposals to end the war and establish a new government for Gaza.
In prior negotiations, Mr. Netanyahu has consistently rejected compromises, choosing instead to continue the war against Hamas. His far-right coalition allies aspire to maintain indefinite control over Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there.
On Sunday, Mr. Netanyahu conveyed optimism regarding Mr. Trump’s proposal, stating in an interview with Fox News, “We’re working on it; it’s not been finalized yet. I hope we can make it a go.”
He also indicated Israel’s willingness to grant amnesty to Hamas members if they ceased hostilities and released the remaining hostages abducted to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. That surprise attack on Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and hundreds taken captive.
Gaza health officials report that Israel’s subsequent counterattack has now claimed over 65,000 lives, including thousands of children. This count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Here’s what else to know:
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Cautious optimism: Vice President JD Vance noted on Sunday that a “complicated negotiation” is underway among Arab leaders, Israel, and the Trump administration concerning postwar Gaza plans. While expressing cautious optimism for a breakthrough, Mr. Vance cautioned that any deal could still “get derailed at the very last minute.”
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Cease-fire negotiations: Hamas stated on Sunday that it had not yet formally received the latest cease-fire proposal. Negotiations have been stalled since Israel’s bombing of Qatar on Sept. 9, an attempt to assassinate Hamas’s top leadership in the Persian Gulf nation. This brazen attack drew widespread international condemnation.
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Latest fighting: Even as discussions on postwar Gaza proceed, Israeli forces continue their sweep through Gaza City, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Many have been forcibly moved multiple times over the past two years, enduring a relentless cycle of fear, hunger, and bombardment.
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International diplomacy: The war has severely impacted Israel’s global standing. Mr. Netanyahu faces allegations of war crimes from the International Criminal Court, several of Israel’s long-standing European allies have recognized a Palestinian state despite Israeli objections, and Israelis traveling abroad are increasingly encountering protests and harassment.
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Remaining hostages: Despite the devastating impact on Gaza and its inhabitants, the war has not compelled Hamas to surrender or release the remaining hostages held in the territory. Israel estimates that at least 20 living captives and the bodies of approximately 25 others are still being held.
New ideas are emerging to end the war in Gaza and govern after the conflict.
As President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel prepare to meet at the White House on Monday, several new proposals to end the fighting in Gaza and govern the territory are under active discussion.
This year’s U.N. General Assembly prominently featured debates on the conflict and the future of the embattled territory. By the close of last week’s sessions, President Trump had expressed optimism about reaching a peace deal.
However, he has made similar pronouncements in the past, and significant obstacles continue to hinder any efforts to halt the fighting. Israel and Hamas remain at odds over critical points, and an Israeli ground offensive to capture Gaza City has intensified in recent weeks.
At the United Nations on Friday, Mr. Netanyahu affirmed his determination to press on with the Gaza City campaign. Hamas reported on Sunday that it had not received any new proposals from mediators, indicating that negotiations are currently at a standstill.
Here are some of the most recent plans aimed at ending the war, establishing a new system of postwar governance, and addressing the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Trump plan
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy for peace missions, outlined the broad contours 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 matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, the plan proposes that Hamas would return all living hostages and the remains of former captives within 48 hours of the agreement. Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence with Israel would receive amnesty, and those wishing to depart Gaza would be guaranteed safe passage. These elements of the proposal were previously reported by The Times of Israel.
The American proposal also includes a mutual commitment to initiate a new dialogue on peaceful coexistence, along with a pledge from Israel to cease further attacks on Qatar, as confirmed by a senior White House official.
Qatar, a crucial U.S. ally, has played a central mediating role in Gaza war negotiations alongside Egypt. Israel’s airstrikes on Doha, the Qatari capital, on Sept. 9, in a failed attempt to assassinate Hamas officials, notably angered U.S. officials.
The success of Mr. Trump’s efforts to end the war will likely depend on his willingness to pressure Mr. Netanyahu, who has steadfastly refused to halt his military campaign until Israel achieves its objectives. Mr. 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 developing the plan and preferred not to discuss 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. Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, is reportedly being considered for a role overseeing Gaza after the cessation of hostilities, according to three individuals familiar with the matter.
This Transitional Authority would be supported by a multinational security force tasked with ensuring security at 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 seeks to address Palestinian concerns regarding permanent displacement from Gaza. It stipulates that the Transitional Authority would be empowered to issue “protected departure certificates,” guaranteeing individuals who choose to leave Gaza the right to return to their homes in the future.
Notably, the version of the proposal reviewed by The Times did not explicitly mention Hamas, the group responsible for the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that ignited the Gaza war. However, it did suggest that the Palestinian Authority, a rival government to Hamas that manages parts of the West Bank and is considered more moderate, would have a limited governance role in Gaza, cooperating with Israel on security matters.
Israeli officials have historically criticized the Palestinian Authority, citing concerns about corruption, mismanagement, and its alleged role in fostering hostility towards Israel. This proposal calls for substantial reforms within the Authority, including its security practices.
It further states that decisions made by both the proposed Transitional Authority and the Palestinian Authority should be “consistent with the eventual unifying of all the Palestinian territory under the” Palestinian Authority.
The French-Saudi plan
A third proposal, known as the New York Declaration, has garnered the support of 142 countries at the U.N. General Assembly. This initiative is led by France and Saudi Arabia.
It calls for Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and for a U.N.-organized international security force to assume control. Hamas would be prohibited from governing Gaza and would agree to transfer its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.
The proposal mandates that postwar Gaza be governed by a transitional committee of technocrats operating under the Palestinian Authority’s umbrella. This authority would commit to holding elections within a year of a cease-fire agreement.
Maggie Haberman contributed reporting.