Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed confidence that his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump will help secure a ceasefire deal in Gaza, Reuters reports.
Netanyahu, ahead of his Washington visit, said Israeli negotiators in Qatar have clear instructions to achieve a ceasefire agreement that aligns with Israel’s terms. He believes discussions with Trump will advance the ongoing talks.
The proposed ceasefire involves a partial release of hostages by Hamas in exchange for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, critical issues such as aid distribution, control of the Rafah border crossing, and the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawals remain unresolved.
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Hamas has shown willingness to accept the proposal, but Netanyahu’s office has rejected suggested amendments while continuing negotiations based on the Qatari framework.
The conflict began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 hostages taken. Since then, more than 57,000 Palestinians have died, and many in Gaza have been displaced.
There is growing public pressure in Israel for a ceasefire and the return of hostages, with about 20 believed to still be alive.
Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump is viewed as a crucial step toward ending the prolonged conflict and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
