Trump claims Gaza deal in final stages ahead of Netanyahu meeting

WASHINGTON  –  US President Donald Trump, in a phone interview, tells a news agency he’s received a “very good response” from both Israel and Arab leaders about the US plan for an end to the war in Gaza.

“Everybody wants to make the deal,” Trump says, a day before he is slated to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House about the deal. Trump says he hopes to finalise the deal during the meeting tomorrow, echoing comments he made earlier tonight to journalist Barak Ravid, that he hopes to announce a deal within the next two days.

Trump also said the proposal was aimed not only at ending the war in Gaza, but at achieving a broader peace in the Middle East. “We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. “ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!”

Earlier Friday, Trump had told reporters in Washington “I think we have a deal” on Gaza. US President Donald Trump promised “something special” is coming on Gaza as Israeli officials say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reservations at about the White House’s 21-point ceasefire and post-war governance plan. 

The two leaders will meet on Monday (today) for a high-stakes discussion that Trump has boasted could end the war in Gaza. Trump projected optimism on Sunday as his administration works to close a comprehensive plan that would include the release of all hostages held by Hamas.  But in an interview with Fox News on Sunday afternoon, Netanyahu did not say he had accepted the plan. “We’re working on it,” he said. “It’s not been finalised yet.” 

Hamas said on Sunday that it had not received any new proposals for a ceasefire. In a statement, it reiterated “readiness to examine any proposals it receives from its mediator brothers in a positive and responsible manner, while upholding the national rights of our people.” Netanyahu is expected to present reservations and push for changes to the ceasefire plan, three Israeli officials said Sunday, underscoring the difficulty of closing a deal, even if many of the details have been worked out in advance. 

Most of the 21-point plan was coordinated with Netanyahu in advance “in close detail”, one of the Israeli officials said, adding that the White House knows Israel will oppose certain elements, such as the role of the Palestinian Authority and the reference to aspirations of a future Palestinian state. 

“Netanyahu will not accept all of the outline as it has been initially published,” said one official. A second official said he would likely try to make more changes before the US finalizes the proposal “and afterwards as well.”