Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday for a White House meeting with President Donald Trump, where the two are expected to discuss a U.S.-brokered framework deal to end the war in Gaza. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Israel time, followed by a joint press conference at 8:15 p.m.
The press event will take place in the White House’s grand ballroom, a venue reserved for historic declarations. Staff have prepared rows of chairs and flags, creating a formal, ceremonial backdrop. Netanyahu is expected to return to Israel on Tuesday for a special cabinet session to approve the appointment of retired Maj. Gen. David Zini as head of the Shin Bet security service.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt: Israel and Hamas are 'very close' to reaching agreement
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier that Israel and Hamas are “very close” to reaching agreement on the 21-point peace plan. Speaking on Fox News, she said Trump would present the proposal to Netanyahu and also speak with Qatari leaders, who have acted as intermediaries with Hamas.
“To reach a reasonable deal for both sides, both sides have to give up a little bit and might leave the table a little bit unhappy, but that is ultimately how we are going to end this conflict,” Leavitt said.
White House officials confirmed envoy Steve Witkoff has circulated the plan to both sides and said Trump expects them to agree.
But U.S. officials acknowledge tensions. According to Politico, Trump was enraged during a recent call with Netanyahu after an Israeli strike on senior Hamas figures in Doha, carried out in the midst of negotiations. The strike reportedly went against recommendations from Israel’s own security establishment, damaged ties with Qatar and led to what one official described as Trump “exploding with anger.” A senior U.S. official told the outlet: “When you take such a risky step, you have to succeed.” Officials added that Monday’s meeting could be a historic breakthrough or collapse in “spectacular failure.”
Regional powers are also pressing their case. Reuters reported that Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan convinced Trump to rule out Israeli annexation in the West Bank or Gaza. Saudi Arabia in particular delivered a blunt message: no normalization with Israel and no entry into the Abraham Accords without a commitment to a two-state solution and a viable Palestinian state. “If Israel wants the benefits of being a ‘normal’ country with regional ties, it must avoid steps that sabotage that goal,” an Arab official said.
Hamas, meanwhile, voiced skepticism. A source told Saudi-owned Al-Hadath the group has yet to receive updated proposals from mediators or meet with the Egyptian delegation. Another source told Ynet that Hamas sees “a great deal of ambiguity” in the U.S. plan, especially regarding the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The source said Hamas cannot trust the plan until it is clear how and at what pace the withdrawal would occur. Still, he added, “Once that is clear, they are ready — in exchange for a ceasefire and a withdrawal — to give up governing, lay down their weapons, end all attacks and even allow the organization’s leaders to leave Gaza.”
Hamas is also demanding clarification on the timeline for withdrawal, which could stretch for a decade, and on conditions under which Israel could reenter Gaza if threats arise. Another Hamas official rejected the plan’s disarmament clause, calling it draconian and warning it would leave Palestinians defenseless while allowing Israel “to continue eliminating Hamas leaders.” He predicted the clause would face strong opposition in Gaza.
Hamas officials said they would not oppose staying out of a postwar government but insisted that technocrats chosen to run Gaza must be acceptable to the group’s leadership. “If the list is composed solely by the Palestinian Authority and its people, the leadership will not accept it,” one source said.
The Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that Arab states have put forward amendments to the U.S. plan. They include a phased Israeli withdrawal, deployment of international forces along Gaza’s borders and a Palestinian technocratic administration with a role for the Palestinian Authority rather than direct international management.
Under those revisions, Hamas would be required to lay down its weapons but not dismantle all its military capabilities. An international council would oversee the process, while Palestinians retained day-to-day control. The report said Arab leaders also pressed Qatar to rejoin mediation efforts, and Trump is expected to present the changes to Netanyahu.
Trump expressed optimism Sunday, saying he expects Netanyahu to approve the plan in their meeting. Netanyahu, however, has not committed, and associates said he is signaling concern over problematic clauses.
The American plan calls for the immediate release of all hostages, Hamas’ removal from power and the destruction of its offensive weapons. It also proposes establishing an alternative administration in Gaza, reconstruction with international investment and a framework for future political dialogue with the prospect of a Palestinian state, contingent on reforms and rebuilding.
First published: 16:00, 09.29.25