Washington DC: US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism regarding the ongoing ceasefire talks aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, as he hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Trump indicated that discussions have been progressing well and voiced confidence in Hamas's willingness to engage in a ceasefire to resolve the 21-month-long conflict.
According to BBC, the meeting between Trump and Netanyahu followed recent indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Qatar, which concluded without a definitive breakthrough. Despite this, further talks are anticipated to continue in the coming days. During their meeting, Netanyahu reiterated that while some may choose to remain, those wishing to leave should have the ability to do so. However, he emphasized that Israel would maintain security control over the Gaza Strip, potentially hindering full Palestinian statehood.
Netanyahu also took the opportunity to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing the US president's efforts in brokering peace in various regions. This gesture aligns with Trump's previous statements about being assertive with Netanyahu regarding the conflict and his belief that a deal could be reached soon.
The White House had initially planned to keep the meeting private, describing it as a dinner focused on ending the war and addressing hostage situations. However, such a closed-door meeting would be atypical for Trump, who often showcases his diplomatic engagements publicly.
The proposed US-backed ceasefire plan involves a phased release of hostages by Hamas and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Nonetheless, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning humanitarian aid, with disagreements between Hamas and the Israeli delegation.
During Netanyahu's visit, protests erupted near the White House, with demonstrators calling for his arrest over alleged war crimes, as per an International Criminal Court warrant. The Trump administration has dismissed these allegations and imposed sanctions on ICC judges involved.
As negotiations continue, US officials, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, remain engaged in facilitating a ceasefire. Discussions in Doha have yet to yield a breakthrough, with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the extension of a proposed 60-day truce.
The recent US-led ceasefire between Israel and Iran has created a potentially conducive environment for resolving the Gaza conflict. Trump has reiterated his commitment to achieving peace in the region, with White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt emphasizing that ending the Gaza war is a top priority for the administration.