Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is engaged in intensive talks in the United States with President Donald Trump, senior adviser Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff as Washington pushes to finalize a plan to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.
Witkoff met Netanyahu at his hotel Sunday for a two-hour session, joined later by Kushner and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Sources described the discussions as narrowing differences, even as Netanyahu pressed for firmer guarantees on Hamas’s disarmament and the future role of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. Hebrew media reported that the meeting was positive and that Netanyahu may support the plan when he meets with President Trump at the White House.
President Trump himself told Reuters he had received “very good responses from Israel and Arab leaders” and hoped to “finalize things” with Netanyahu on Monday. The president said the proposal is not only aimed at Gaza, but also at achieving broader peace in the Middle East.
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While Hamas claimed it had not been presented with the plan, the 21-point framework would allow several steps to proceed regardless of Hamas’ approval. These include installing a transitional Palestinian technocratic government and deploying an international stabilization force in areas cleared of Hamas. Still, Israeli officials insist that no deal will move forward without the release of the 48 hostages still held in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s adjustments to the US proposal—particularly his resistance to a role for the Palestinian Authority or language that could open a path to Palestinian statehood—may complicate Arab and Muslim support, which President Trump has sought to secure in recent days. Another unresolved issue is Qatar’s role in Gaza’s reconstruction, with Israel pushing to limit Doha’s influence, though reports suggested a compromise may be in the works. Israel has also requested clear assurances of the IDF’s freedom of action against future terrorist threats from Gaza.
Alongside the Washington talks, Netanyahu met in New York with leaders of the settler movement, including Israel Gantz and Yossi Dagan. They urged him to push for sovereignty in the West Bank, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” especially as European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron advance recognition of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu reassured them that he would raise the issue with President Trump but cautioned that “we must navigate a complex reality.”
Dagan later warned that the government risked “signing off on the establishment of a Palestinian state,” which he called “the next October 7,” expressing deep concern over what he sees as a lack of focus on sovereignty.