US President Donald Trump (R) and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2025. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)

 United States President Donald Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday in what officials are describing as pivotal talks aimed at securing a peace agreement for war-torn Gaza.

Trump has expressed strong optimism about the plan, declaring on Truth Social on Sunday: “ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!” He insists the framework to end the nearly two-year war, release Israeli hostages, and disarm Hamas is essentially complete following consultations with Arab and Muslim leaders last week.

According to reports in The Times of Israel and Axios, the proposal envisions an immediate ceasefire, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of hostages within 48 hours. In return, Israel would release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life sentences.

However, Netanyahu has given little sign that he is prepared to embrace such concessions. In a combative address at the UN General Assembly on Friday, he pledged to “finish the job” against Hamas and dismissed the prospect of Palestinian statehood, recently recognised by several Western nations. He also voiced scepticism about any reformed Palestinian Authority playing a role in governing Gaza.

The plan reportedly also proposes the creation of a “Gaza International Transitional Authority”, potentially led by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, with support from the United Nations and Gulf nations. The authority would eventually hand control to a restructured Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu, however, has cast doubt on this idea, questioning the PA’s credibility and ability to reform.

Despite this, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that the administration has prepared a 21-point peace framework, though details remain largely undisclosed. Media outlets suggest it includes disarmament of Hamas, full demilitarisation of Gaza, and a pathway to eventual Palestinian statehood — all highly contentious provisions.

The stakes are high, as the humanitarian toll of the Gaza war continues to mount. The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel, has since claimed at least 66,055 Palestinian lives, mostly civilians, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry cited by the United Nations. Israel’s military campaign has devastated large parts of Gaza, displacing hundreds of thousands and worsening already dire living conditions.

Families of Israeli hostages have urged Trump to push forward with the plan despite Netanyahu’s resistance. In an open letter, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum pleaded, “We respectfully ask you to stand firm against any attempts to sabotage the deal you have brought forth. Our families have waited too long for any interference to derail this progress.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that compromises would be unavoidable. “To reach a reasonable deal for both sides, both sides have to give up a little bit and might leave the table a little bit unhappy. But that is ultimately how we are going to end this conflict,” she said in a Fox News interview.

Security in Washington was heightened on Monday ahead of Netanyahu’s arrival, with black fencing and trucks sealing off Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House amid expected protests. Reporters gathered outside as anticipation built for the leaders’ closed-door meeting.

Trump and Netanyahu are scheduled to address a joint press conference at 1:15 p.m. (1715 GMT), where the contours of the U.S. peace initiative are expected to be more clearly outlined.