Netanyahu looks to Trump for breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his meeting with US President Donald Trump could help move advance ceasefire deal and hostage release deal with Hamas. Netanyahu spoke just before leaving for Washington on Sunday, saying that Israeli negotiators had already returned to Qatar to resume talks.

"I believe the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance these results," Netanyahu said. "I am determined to bring our hostages home and to eliminate the threat of Hamas to Israel."

According to Netanyahu, Israeli negotiators have been instructed to work towards a deal based on terms already accepted by Israel. This will be Netanyahu’s third trip to the White House since Trump returned to office nearly six months ago.

Meanwhile, Hamas said on Friday that it had responded positively to a US-brokered ceasefire proposal. A few days earlier, Trump had announced that Israel agreed "to the necessary conditions to finalise" a 60-day truce.

IS A LASTING PEACE WITHIN REACH?

Despite the positive signs, challenges remain intact. A Palestinian official linked to Hamas said there were still concerns about humanitarian aid, movement through the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, and a clear schedule for Israeli troop withdrawal.

In response, Netanyahu's office said in a statement that Hamas' requested changes to the ceasefire proposal were "not acceptable to Israel." Still, the Israeli delegation has gone to Qatar to "continue efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to."

Netanyahu has made it clear in previous statements that Hamas must be disarmed — a demand the group has not agreed to.

Netanyahu also said he and Trump would talk about recent events in the region, including the short air war with Iran last month. He said they would work to make sure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon. "Recent events in the Middle East have opened a window to expand peace," Netanyahu added.

FAMILIES OF HOSTAGES CALL FOR PEACE DEAL

On Saturday evening, large crowds gathered in Tel Aviv, near the Defence Ministry's headquarters, demanding a ceasefire and the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Many in the crowd carried Israeli flags and photos of the hostages, chanting for peace.

The ongoing conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel. According to Israeli officials, around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage.

Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The war has left much of Gaza destroyed, displaced nearly all of its population, and caused a major hunger crisis.

Roughly 20 hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza. Some were released through past negotiations, while a few others were rescued in Israeli military operations.

- Ends

With inputs from Reuters

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