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Alsharq Tribune- Sarah Benkroauda
The administration of US President Donald Trump has shifted course and started pressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring an end to the war on Gaza.
Well-informed Israeli sources confirmed that Trump has decided to push for a ceasefire and is now urging Netanyahu to secure approval for a proposal that Hamas has already reviewed. Israel’s public broadcaster Kan revealed parts of discussions between Netanyahu and Trump’s envoys ahead of the two leaders’ planned meeting at the White House on Monday.
According to the report, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner told Netanyahu that the US president is determined to end the Gaza war. During their meeting in New York, they told him that the president believes the time has come to seek an end to the war, and that for Netanyahu the time is now.
The channel reported that Witkoff and Kushner pressed Netanyahu to move toward an agreement before his upcoming meeting with Trump, after the prime minister expressed opposition to several elements of the American plan. Netanyahu, along with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, voiced these objections in talks with Trump’s aides.
Israel’s Channel 13 corroborated the report, quoting senior Israeli officials as saying that US patience with Gaza is wearing thin. The officials added that in recent days, the Trump administration has intensified pressure for a deal with Hamas that would secure the release of hostages and significantly wind down the war.
The pressure has mounted around a 21-point American proposal to end the conflict in Gaza.
The plan, shared with several Arab and Muslim countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week, envisions Gaza as a region free of extremism and terrorism, posing no threat to its neighbors, and redeveloped for the benefit of its people.
It calls for an immediate ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and the return of both living and deceased hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences.
Under the plan, Gaza would be administered by a temporary technocratic Palestinian government, supported by an international stabilization force that would train a Palestinian police body to serve as a long-term internal security apparatus. Despite American optimism, senior Israeli officials told Channel 13 that disputes remain over the conditions for ending the war.
Israeli media noted that while the plan guarantees Hamas’ removal from power in Gaza, Netanyahu’s definition of defeating the group remains far from realized.
A senior Israeli official told Haaretz that the plan leaves very slim chances of resuming fighting once a ceasefire takes hold. Netanyahu’s circle, however, stressed that any plan must include the complete dismantling of Hamas and that Israel would not compromise on this.
Trump, meanwhile, struck an upbeat tone. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote that constructive talks were underway, touting a deal that would end the war and return hostages.
He said negotiations had been intensive for four days and would continue as long as necessary to reach a full and successful agreement, noting that all regional players are involved.
He confirmed that both Israel and Hamas are aware of the discussions and insisted talks would continue until an agreement is reached.
Trump also met with leaders and officials from several Muslim-majority countries this week to discuss Gaza, where Israeli strikes have escalated. Witkoff said Trump presented these leaders with the 21-point peace proposal.
Trump later wrote that Hamas is well aware of these discussions and that Israel has been briefed at all levels.
While withholding details, he described the talks as inspiring and productive.
According to Trump administration officials, a breakthrough on Gaza may be imminent despite ongoing Israeli bombardment.
Haaretz reported that Hamas has given its initial approval to Trump’s plan, with Qatar playing a key role in swaying the group.
Trump is now focused on securing Netanyahu’s consent. In a telling development, Witkoff reportedly assured families of Israeli hostages in recent days that a breakthrough is near and that good news can be expected within days.
An Israeli political source echoed this sentiment to the families, saying positive developments were expected following Netanyahu’s US visit. Channel 12 reported that several hostage families have recently received encouraging messages from multiple sources linked to the negotiations.
