Ceasefire Talks Get a Boost from Washington
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism over ceasefire negotiations during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington. Trump said talks to end the Gaza war were “going along very well” and claimed that Hamas was showing willingness to reach an agreement.
“They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire,” he said, adding, “We’ll have a deal this week.”
The leaders met privately at the White House as part of a renewed US effort to end the 21-month-old Israel-Gaza conflict. The dinner was initially planned to be closed to the media, which is rare for Trump, who typically prefers public coverage of foreign diplomacy.
Trump’s Peace Strategy: Ceasefire and Cooperation
According to a senior official, the proposed 60-day Gaza ceasefire would involve the release of 10 living hostages and the return of 18 deceased individuals by Hamas. In return, Israel would release Palestinian prisoners and pull back forces from key parts of Gaza.
While challenges remain, the US is pushing both parties hard. Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to join talks in Doha later this week. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also met with Netanyahu to advance the peace effort.
Reporters asked both leaders about potential plans to relocate Palestinians. Trump said he had cooperation from neighboring countries. Netanyahu echoed that sentiment, saying Israel was working to find nations that would “give Palestinians a better future.”
“If people want to stay, they can stay. But if they want to leave, they should be able to,” Netanyahu stated. The Palestinian leadership has strongly opposed such relocation plans, citing violations of international law.
No Full Statehood, Says Netanyahu
Netanyahu made it clear that a fully sovereign Palestinian state was unlikely. “Israel will always maintain security control over Gaza,” he said bluntly. “People will say it’s not a state. We don’t care.”
These remarks have drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and further complicate the already tense negotiations.
Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
In a surprise move, Netanyahu presented Trump with a letter nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. “He’s forging peace in one country, in one region after another,” Netanyahu said.
This gesture underlines the strong alliance between the two leaders, though critics argue it distracts from the real challenges in Gaza.
International Backlash and Arrest Warrants
Outside the White House, protesters gathered with Palestinian flags, calling for Netanyahu’s arrest. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif over alleged war crimes.
Netanyahu rejected the charges, calling them antisemitic. Trump’s administration has since sanctioned four ICC judges, accusing them of politically motivated actions against Israel and the US.
Hamas’s Conditions Remain a Barrier
While progress has been made, a key sticking point remains: aid. Hamas is demanding the shutdown of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, while Israel’s team refuses to discuss it. This issue has stalled the current round of Doha negotiations, which ended Monday without a breakthrough.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee declined to guarantee that the ceasefire would be extended beyond 60 days. “I don’t know,” he told the BBC, when asked about assurances to Hamas.
Growing Pressure as Conflict Nears 22 Months
As the conflict nears its 22nd month, the global community is demanding an end to the violence. The recent 12-day Israel-Iran war has changed the regional dynamic, with many experts seeing this as the right time for a ceasefire.
Trump has said he’s willing to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for progress. “There’s a good chance of peace now,” he told reporters.
Final Hurdles and What Lies Ahead
The coming days will be critical. With pressure mounting on both Israel and Hamas, and with the US intensifying its mediation, a temporary halt to the bloodshed appears possible—if not yet guaranteed.
As Trump’s administration pushes hard for a breakthrough, the world watches closely, hoping for the first steps toward lasting peace in Gaza.