BREAKING: Cards on the Table
Trump's Envoys Arrive Overnight with New Drafts. Will Netanyahu Sign Today?
Latest developments in US-Israel negotiations as Trump's envoys present revised drafts for Gaza peace plan. Netanyahu and Trump set to meet amid growing optimism for breakthrough.
Significant progress has been reported in high-stakes discussions between Israeli and top US officials, signaling a potential agreement on key elements of President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza and the release of all hostages. Israeli sources indicate that most contentious issues have been "cleared up," bringing the two nations closer to a formal understanding ahead of the highly anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump this evening.
Revised Proposals and Looming Deadlines
During the overnight hours (Israel time), President Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, reportedly arrived at Netanyahu's hotel with revised drafts of the emerging agreement. Israeli officials are said to have accepted the new formulations, leading to expectations that the Prime Minister may announce a formal consensus before his meeting with President Trump later today.
One senior Israeli official commented that "most of the disputed issues have been clarified," marking a major step forward.
The meeting between the two leaders is scheduled for 6:00 PM Israel time at the White House, followed by a joint press conference at 8:15 PM.
Agreement Hinges on Hamas Response
Despite the optimism regarding the US-Israel understanding, senior negotiators stressed that an Israeli consensus does not yet guarantee an agreement to end the war and secure the release of captives. A major hurdle remains the terror organization Hamas's response to the President's plan, which has yet to be confirmed.
Trump and Netanyahu Express Cautious Optimism
President Trump has expressed a strong desire to finalize the deal during his meeting with Netanyahu.
"Everyone wants to close the deal," Trump said, adding his hope to "close it at the meeting with Netanyahu on Monday."
For his part, Prime Minister Netanyahu tempered expectations in an interview with Fox News, saying,
"We're working on it; it's not yet finally agreed upon... I hope we can advance this because we want to release our hostages. We want to end Hamas's rule and disarm it." He also emphasized the need for a demilitarized Gaza in the future.
Trump further hinted that the current initiative goes beyond merely ending the war, aiming for a broader regional peace, potentially referencing normalization efforts.
"If we manage to finish this, it will be a great day for Israel and the Middle East. This will be the first time there will be a real opportunity for peace in the Middle East, but first, we need to close this," he stressed.
The Core of the 21-Point Plan
The reported elements of President Trump's 21-Point Plan include: