Trump says Gaza deal near, hints at hostage release ahead of Netanyahu meeting

Ahead of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, President Donald Trump on Friday said he was nearing a deal to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of hostages.

“It’s looking like we have a deal on Gaza. I think it’s a deal that gets the hostages back, it’s going to be a deal that ends the war,” Reuters quoted Trump as telling reporters on Friday before leaving the White House to attend the Ryder Cup golf tournament in New York.

He, however, offered no details and gave no timetable.

A senior White House official told Reuters that President Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday to work toward a deal framework. Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

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As world leaders convened in New York, the U.S. rolled out a 21‑point Middle East peace plan aimed at ending the nearly two‑year Gaza war between Israel and Hamas. The proposal was distributed on Tuesday to officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan, according to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.

A White House official said the plan calls for the return of all hostages, both living and deceased, a cessation of further Israeli strikes on Qatar, and the launch of renewed dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians for “peaceful coexistence.”

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Israel drew anger from Qatar after launching an airstrike against Hamas targets in Doha on September 9.

Trump, seen as Israel’s closest international ally, said on Thursday that he had spoken with Netanyahu and leaders from several Middle Eastern nations in support of the peace push.

The Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

Roughly 48 hostages remain, with about 20 believed alive. Israel’s military campaign has since killed over 65,000 people in Gaza and caused widespread destruction, according to local health authorities there.

With inputs from agencies