Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed confidence that his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday will advance efforts to secure a ceasefire and return hostages held in Gaza. Before departing for Washington, Netanyahu emphasized his dual goals: ensuring the captives' release and neutralizing Hamas, though he acknowledged Israeli negotiators have clear mandates to finalize a truce under current terms accepted by Israel. The talks coincide with fresh Israeli airstrikes killing 38 Palestinians in Gaza, underscoring the urgency of diplomatic progress.
Hamas signaled "serious readiness" for immediate negotiations, offering a "positive response" to a U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire involving phased hostage releases and increased humanitarian aid. However, Netanyahu’s office deemed Hamas’s requested amendments "unacceptable," even as Israeli envoys headed to Qatar for indirect talks. Analysts remain skeptical, noting Trump’s failed ceasefire push in January 2025, which collapsed weeks later when Israel resumed strikes, killing thousands.
The prime minister faces crushing pressures: Far-right coalition allies demand Hamas’s total destruction, while moderates prioritize hostage returns. A permanent ceasefire could fracture his government, forcing early elections where Netanyahu risks losing his legal immunity from ongoing corruption trials. Trump recently urged Israel to drop these charges, hinting at U.S. aid cuts if ignored, a move critics call "diplomatic blackmail" to shield Netanyahu.
As leaders convene, Gaza’s health ministry reports 57,418 Palestinians killed and 136,261 wounded since October 2023, with 80 fatalities in the past 24 hours alone. Israel’s military continues widespread strikes, demolishing civilian infrastructure like schools and refugee camps while displacing 2 million people. UN experts and human rights groups label the campaign genocidal, citing indiscriminate attacks and a man-made famine.
Behind closed doors, Trump and Netanyahu will debate Gaza’s future without Hamas. U.S. officials propose a technocratic Palestinian administration backed by Arab states, with Israeli security oversight, a plan rejected by Palestinians lacking sovereignty guarantees. Meanwhile, Israel explores empowering local clans to counter Hamas, though experts warn these groups lack cohesion and legitimacy.