Trump ‘very confident’ Gaza ceasefire deal can be reached as he meets Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump on Monday said he is “very confident” that peace in Gaza can be achieved swiftly, as he welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.

The remark came as the two leaders shook hands at the West Wing portico, ahead of a scheduled meeting in the Oval Office.

Both Trump and Netanyahu gave a thumbs-up gesture to photographers before stepping inside.

“I’m very confident we can get peace in Gaza quickly,” CNN quoted Trump as telling reporters, signaling optimism about ending the ongoing conflict and securing the release of hostages still held in the region.

Netanyahu, standing beside him and smiling, did not respond when asked directly whether he supported Trump’s approach or believed such a deal was possible.

Meanwhile, ahead of the meeting with Netanyahu, Trump spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

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A Qatari adviser also visited the White House ahead of a crucial meeting, according to a CNN report, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

The visit comes as Qatar continues to play a pivotal role in mediating a potential ceasefire in Gaza.

However, those efforts were recently strained following an Israeli strike that reportedly targeted Hamas leadership figures in Qatar, complicating diplomatic efforts.

According to CNN, the meeting with the Qatari adviser may signal a renewed push by the Trump administration to advance its 21-point plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza, which is approaching its two-year mark.

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The engagement is also seen as part of broader efforts to keep pressure on Netanyahu to support a negotiated resolution.

Despite ongoing challenges, the White House has expressed cautious optimism that a deal remains within reach.

Gaza ceasefire proposal

Trump’s latest Gaza ceasefire proposal calls for an immediate halt to hostilities, a phased Israeli military withdrawal, and the release of hostages within 48 hours, according to reports from The Times of Israel and Axios.

As part of the proposed deal, Israel would subsequently release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners — including several serving life sentences — in exchange.

Typically a strong supporter of Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump has shown growing frustration ahead of Netanyahu’s fourth White House visit since Trump returned to office.

That tension was heightened by Israel’s recent airstrike targeting Hamas operatives in Qatar — a key US ally mediating ceasefire efforts — which reportedly infuriated the US president.

Adding to the strain, Trump last week issued a warning to Netanyahu against annexing parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a move being pushed by hardline members of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, which is heavily supported by far-right ministers opposed to a peace settlement.

Despite Trump’s optimism, the path to a final agreement remains fraught.

Key sticking points persist, including disagreements between Israel and Arab states over the wording of the plan — particularly regarding the potential deployment of an international force in Gaza and the future role of the Palestinian Authority, based in Ramallah.

Netanyahu, in a Sunday interview with Fox News, cast doubt on any scenario involving the Palestinian Authority overseeing post-war Gaza.

“The likelihood of… a reformed Palestinian Authority that changes completely its stripes, that accepts a Jewish state… well, good luck,” he said.

With inputs from agencies