Trump optimistic ahead of meeting in Washington with Prime Minister Netanyahu

U.S. President Donald Trump said his emerging plan to end the war in Gaza is designed not only to stop the fighting but also to pave the way toward a broader peace in the Middle East. Speaking ahead of a Monday meeting in Washington with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump expressed optimism that a breakthrough may be within reach.

“Everybody wants to do the deal,” Trump said, noting that both Israeli and Arab leaders had responded positively to his initiative. Writing earlier on his Truth Social platform, the president declared: “There is a real chance for something big in the Middle East. Everyone is interested, for the first time ever.”

Netanyahu: Deal Possible If Hamas Yields

Netanyahu, who gave interviews to American media on Sunday, confirmed that Israel is working with the U.S. administration on the president’s plan. He told Fox News that the key to progress lies in Hamas ending hostilities and releasing Israeli hostages.

“If Hamas leaders end the war and release the hostages, Israel will allow them to leave the Strip,” Netanyahu said. Asked whether he believed at least 20 hostages were still alive in Gaza, he replied: “Yes, and we are committed to getting every single one of them out alive, including the dead hostages.”

Israeli officials, however, signaled limits to their flexibility. A source familiar with the discussions told Haaretz that Netanyahu’s team views Trump’s 21-point plan as “a working document” rather than a final settlement. One contentious issue expected to arise in Monday’s meeting is Netanyahu’s firm opposition to Palestinian Authority involvement in Gaza’s governance.

Washington Post: Details of Trump’s Plan

According to a Washington Post report published Sunday night, Trump’s proposal includes:

• An immediate ceasefire, beginning with a freeze of all Israeli military operations in Gaza, while leaving IDF forces in their current positions.

• The release of all living hostages within 48 hours of the ceasefire taking effect.

• The return of more than 24 bodies of hostages who died in captivity.

• Particular urgency surrounding two hostages, Bipin Joshi and Tamir Nimrodi, whose lives are said to be in grave danger.

• The return of 26 additional bodies being held by Hamas.

The White House has not officially published the plan but has described it as a framework designed to create “space for a broader political settlement.”

Regional and Political Reactions

Trump emphasized that Arab leaders had shown unprecedented openness to the U.S. initiative. Diplomatic sources in the Gulf said that several states have privately encouraged Washington to “seize the moment” to reduce regional instability.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant welcomed U.S. involvement but cautioned against “premature optimism,” saying: “Israel will not accept any arrangement that leaves Hamas intact or allows it to rearm.”

On the Palestinian side, no official response has yet been issued by Hamas. Analysts note that the group may seek guarantees regarding safe passage for its leaders if they agree to end hostilities.

Wider Context: A Fragile Moment

The proposal comes after nearly a year of devastating war in Gaza, with thousands of casualties, widespread destruction, and mounting international pressure on both Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire.

Observers say Trump is attempting to leverage his personal ties with Netanyahu and his standing in parts of the Arab world to secure a landmark regional agreement. However, skepticism remains high given the deep mistrust between the parties and the unresolved question of Gaza’s postwar governance.

“Trump is framing this not just as a Gaza ceasefire but as the opening of a regional peace track,” said Dr. [Expert Name], a senior fellow at the Washington Institute. “The challenge is whether Hamas, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority can all be brought into alignment — and that’s a tall order.”

What Comes Next

Netanyahu and Trump will meet at the White House on Monday, with the hostages’ fate and the future of Gaza at the top of the agenda. U.S. officials hope that if the two leaders can agree on a common framework, Arab states may then be brought into the talks as guarantors.

For now, the families of hostages are watching anxiously. “We want deeds, not words,” said one spokesperson for the Hostages’ Families Forum. “Every day matters. Every hour matters.”