Immediate Deal Possible
"Israel Knows What I Want": Trump's Ultimatum to Netanyahu on Hostage Deal Revealed
Prime Minister Netanyahu arrived in New York after an unusual, lengthy flight path to evade potential legal risks from an International Criminal Court warrant. US President Trump immediately ramped up pressure for an urgent and comprehensive deal to end the Gaza war, stating, "Israel knows what I want."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York following an extraordinarily long flight path, ahead of his planned address at the UN General Assembly. His arrival coincided with renewed statements from US President Donald Trump, who expressed strong optimism about reaching an immediate agreement to end the war in Gaza.
Speaking at the White House alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Trump asserted, “I think we are close to a deal to end the war in Gaza,” adding directly that "Israel knows what I want."
Trump’s comments came shortly after Netanyahu’s plane landed in New York, following a deliberate flight route that avoided much of European airspace. The aircraft, dubbed ‘Wing of Zion,’ flew the most southern route possible, over the Mediterranean Sea, across Greece and Italy, and through the Straits of Gibraltar to the Atlantic. This maneuver was intended to minimize time over countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, particularly France, due to concerns over the potential enforcement of the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant in the event of an emergency landing. A French diplomatic source confirmed that Israel had requested and received overflight permission but chose to use the alternative route.
The US President confirmed his intent to press Israel during his upcoming meeting with Netanyahu next week, stating, "I'm going to ask, tell Israel, 'Come on, we want to get the hostages back.'" He emphasized the urgency, demanding a comprehensive exchange: "We want all of them back. We don't want them back one this week, one two months from now, three later, we want them all." Trump estimated there are roughly 20 living hostages and repeated a claim of "38 fatalities," despite official Israeli information reporting 26 bodies and rising concern for two others among the 48 captives held in Gaza.
Trump suggested a deal could be imminent, telling reporters, "The deal can be today. Yes, it can be today." He cited a strong dialogue with regional leaders, including those from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan, stating, "I think a lot was determined in that meeting."
The renewed American push is centered on a 21-point initiative presented by Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Arab leaders on the sidelines of the UN. Reports from Saudi network Al-Hadath suggest the initiative includes the release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire, an Israeli phased withdrawal, and the establishment of a civilian control mechanism involving moderate Arab states and the Palestinian Authority, excluding Hamas. To secure Arab commitment, Trump reportedly promised to prevent Netanyahu from annexing Judea and Samaria and building settlements in Gaza.
Despite Trump's firm stance, Israeli sources believe the President will not impose a plan unacceptable to Netanyahu. However, an Israeli official expressed intrigue about Witkoff's full plan, admitting, "Israel didn't know about the plan, at least not all its details," and speculated, "There are things in there that we won't like."
Meanwhile, sources within the Hamas leadership told a Saudi newspaper that the group would "respond positively to the proposals" and could show "great flexibility" on relinquishing control of the strip if a clear consensus is reached, indicating a potential breakthrough could be near.