Donald Trump (AP)
US President Donald Trump said that he has received a “very good response” to his plan to end the war in Gaza and expressed optimism that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will support it when they meet on Monday, as cited by Reuters.“We’re getting a very good response because Bibi wants to make the deal too,” Trump said in a telephone interview, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “Everybody wants to make the deal.”Trump also credited the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Jordan, among others, for their role in the process. He said the deal would not only end the Gaza conflict but also advance broader peace in the Middle East.”Everybody’s involved,” he said. “Everybody wants it, and Hamas wants it, and one of the reasons is because everybody’s tired” of war.This week at the United Nations in New York, the US unveiled a 21-point Middle East peace plan aimed at ending the nearly two-year-long conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.According to a White House official, the plan calls for the return of all hostages, living and deceased, a halt to further Israeli attacks on Qatar, and renewed dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to achieve “peaceful coexistence.” A Hamas representative said on Saturday that the group had not yet seen the US plan presented at the UN. Trump did not offer specific details about a potential ceasefire-for-hostages agreement in Gaza. However, vice president JD Vance said that senior US officials are engaged in “very complicated” negotiations with Israeli and Arab leaders, as reported by Fox News. Trump hinted on Sunday that a “major development” in the Middle East may be imminent, saying there is “something special” underway.“We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!” Trump said through a post on Truth Social.Netanyahu also discussed Trump’s 21-point Gaza peace plan, noting that Israeli and US officials are still developing it.“I hope we can make it a go because we want to free our hostages. We want to get rid of Hamas rule and have them disarmed, Gaza demilitarized, and a new future set up for Gazans and Israelis alike and for the whole region,” Netanyahu said. Last week, Trump said that his plan would require a meeting with Netanyahu before it could be finalized. The two leaders are scheduled to meet at the White House on Monday.
