US president meets Israeli PM as hostage release deal faces coalition resistance
President Donald Trump is urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a comprehensive peace plan aimed at ending the Israel-Gaza conflict during critical White House talks on Monday.
While Trump expressed optimism on Friday, declaring “I think we have a deal,” Netanyahu tempered expectations, stating on Sunday that “it’s not been finalised yet.” Hamas has indicated they have not yet received the formal proposal.
Key Elements of the Proposed Deal
According to leaked copies obtained by US and Israeli media outlets, the framework includes several major provisions:
Immediate Actions:
All hostages to be released within 48 hours of agreement
Israel would free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences
Hamas must have no future role in Gaza’s governance
Hamas members committed to peace would receive amnesty and safe passage
All Hamas military infrastructure to be destroyed
Long-term Structure:
Gradual withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces from Gaza
Establishment of an interim transitional government
Reformed Palestinian Authority would assume future governance role
Recognition of Palestinian aspirations for statehood
Palestinians encouraged to remain in Gaza
A Significant Policy Shift
The proposal represents a dramatic departure from the Trump administration’s earlier position, which advocated relocating Gaza’s 2.1 million residents and transforming the territory into a US-owned resort destination.
Political Obstacles Mount
The plan crosses multiple red lines previously established by Netanyahu, who has consistently rejected Palestinian statehood and condemned the Palestinian Authority as “corrupt to its core.” Acceptance would mark a significant reversal for the Israeli leader.
Coalition Resistance:
Netanyahu faces fierce opposition from within his own governing coalition. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Monday that his party would reject any proposal mentioning Palestinian statehood or involving the Palestinian Authority.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared over the weekend that Netanyahu lacks a “mandate” to end the war without achieving “a decisive defeat of Hamas.” Ultranationalist coalition members harbor ambitions to maintain control of Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there.
Political Support:
Opposition leader Yair Lapid offered crucial backing, pledging to provide Netanyahu with a parliamentary “safety net” to reach an agreement. “He has a majority in the Knesset and a majority in the country, there is no need to get excited about the empty threats of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich,” Lapid posted on social media platform X.
Hamas Response Uncertain
Hamas must also agree to the framework. Significant questions remain about whether the organization will trust Netanyahu’s government not to resume hostilities after a deal is reached.
The current framework would require subsequent negotiations to finalize specific language and implementation details.
Growing Pressure on Netanyahu
Multiple forces are converging to pressure the Israeli prime minister:
Domestic Pressure:
Opinion polls show mounting public support for ending the war
Families of 48 remaining hostages (20 believed alive) continue advocacy efforts
International Pressure:
UK, France, and other nations formally recognized Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly last week
Growing global calls for conflict resolution
US Relations:
Trump has reportedly grown impatient with Netanyahu, expressing anger over Israeli airstrikes on US ally Qatar earlier this month targeting Hamas leadership. The president also publicly stated he “will not allow” Israel to annex the West Bank, despite recent speculation about such moves following the Palestinian state recognition.
Regional Diplomacy Accelerates
During last week’s UN General Assembly, Trump held meetings with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, calling it his “most important meeting” of the day.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism the following day: “We’re hopeful and, I might say, even confident that in the coming days we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough.”
Trump posted enthusiastically over the weekend: “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!!!”
Background
The conflict began following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.
Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 66,055 people, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
In August, a UN-backed organization confirmed famine conditions in Gaza City. Earlier this month, a UN commission of inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza—a finding Israel strongly rejects.
