8:15 PM Announcement Looming - Will Trump and Netanyahu Announce End to Gaza War?

Under intense American pressure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived at the White House and reportedly moving closer to agreeing to President Donald Trump’s plan for ending the Gaza war. The decisive meeting in the Oval Office presents Netanyahu with a binary choice: accept the Trump plan or risk a public, politically costly break with the US President.

White House sources are increasingly optimistic, suggesting an agreement could be announced immediately following the meeting today (Monday). White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the high stakes, stating in a briefing to reporters that the President “knows and believes that his plan to end the war is the best the parties will accept. Both sides will leave a little unhappy.” She added that the President “believes in the plan and wants the war to end.” The joint press conference is scheduled to be held in the State Dining Room, an area reserved for special events, which hints at a major announcement expected this evening.

The diplomatic atmosphere remains charged. Before meeting Netanyahu, President Trump spoke by phone with the Emir of Qatar. This conversation follows allegations from senior Arab officials that the United States had revised the text of the war-ending plan to incorporate Israeli demands.

The Political Brinkmanship

For Netanyahu, the meeting boils down to a stark choice: embrace Trump’s plan or face the political fallout of publicly alienating a US President who, for the first time since returning to office, appears ready to distance himself over the Gaza war.

Despite the Prime Minister's public statements remaining vague, President Trump told a news outlet on Sunday that his Gaza plan is in its “final stages” and that Netanyahu supports it. Israeli officials confirmed that significant gaps between the US and Israeli positions “narrowed significantly” during an extensive Sunday meeting between Netanyahu, White House Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Standing alongside Netanyahu at the White House entrance, President Trump was asked if he believed a deal would be signed. He responded confidently, “I am sure of it.” This optimism was echoed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who told Fox News, “We are very close to an agreement, it will be a very busy day at the White House.” She confirmed the President "expects both sides to agree" to the 21-point document delivered by White House Envoy Steve Witkoff.

White House sources are convinced an agreement could be announced immediately after the meeting, although Hamas has not yet given a green light. Trump himself told a news outlet that the plan is in its “final stages” and claimed Netanyahu supports it, despite the Prime Minister’s public statements remaining vague.

The pressure on Netanyahu is immense. A Trump advisor involved in the plan indicated that the White House believes a refusal by Netanyahu could result in a heavy political price. An unnamed senior American official involved in the talks bluntly stated, “Everyone, and I mean everyone, is exhausted with Bibi.”

Netanyahu's Full White House Schedule:

The White House has released a detailed schedule for the pivotal meeting between the two leaders, culminating in a joint press conference.

Time (US Eastern)