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Donald Trump said he was “very confident” of reaching a deal on Gaza, while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House
US President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump said he was “very confident” of reaching a deal on Gaza as he hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to push for a deal to end the nearly two-year conflict that has triggered global outrage.
Trump greeted Netanyahu on Monday with a handshake and a thumbs-up for the reporters ahead of talks for a peace deal, even as Israeli tanks pushed deeper into Gaza City. All eyes would be on this meeting as Trump is expected to announce a breakthrough in the Gaza conflict.
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“I am, I’m very confident,” Trump told reporters when asked about the possibility of peace in Gaza. He repeated “very confident” when asked if all parties were on board with the 21-point plan to end the nearly two-year war.
The meeting comes at a time when Israel is increasingly isolated, losing support from many countries that were long its steadfast allies. At home, Netanyahu’s governing coalition appears more fragile than ever. And the White House is showing signs of impatience.
‘Real Chance For Greatness’
On Sunday, Trump said that there is “a real chance for greatness in the Middle East” without providing specific details, days after saying he was close to forging a deal to end the war in Gaza. “All are on board for something special, first time ever. We will get it done,” he said on Truth Social.
He met Arab leaders at the United Nations last week and said that a breakthrough on Gaza was imminent, and claimed that negotiators were close to finalising an agreement that would secure the release of hostages and bring an end to the war.
Trump has proposed a 21-point peace plan for the Middle East and Gaza. According to Western media outlets, the proposal calls for an immediate halt to all military operations in Gaza as the first step toward ending the war. The plan will be presented to Netanyahu during his visit.
It reportedly involves a phased Israeli withdrawal and the release of hostages within 48 hours. Israel would then free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life terms.
However, Netanyahu has given little reason for optimism, vowing to “finish the job” against Hamas in a fiery speech at the UN and rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, which was recently recognised by several Western nations, including the UK and France.
“To reach a good deal, a reasonable deal for both sides, both sides have to give up a little bit and might leave the table a little bit unhappy,” said White House Press Secretary on Monday.
US Losing Patience With Israel?
Trump, who is normally a staunch ally of Netanyahu, has shown increasing signs of frustration as the conflict continues. The US president was infuriated by Israel’s recent strike on Hamas members in Qatar, a key US ally.
He also vowed to prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank — an idea promoted by some of Netanyahu’s hard-line governing partners. The international community opposes annexation, saying it would destroy hopes for a two-state solution.
The war has raged for nearly two years and pushed Israeli forces deep into Gaza City, described by Israel as the “last stronghold of Hamas.” The conflict has exacted a staggering civilian toll. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported that the total number of people killed since October 7, 2023, has reached 66,055.
(with inputs from agencies)
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
September 29, 2025, 21:38 IST
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