WASHINGTON: Israel and Hamas are “very close” to agreeing on a framework deal to end the war in Gaza, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday, raising hopes of a breakthrough in a conflict that has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians and destabilised the Middle East.
Leavitt told Fox News that US President Donald Trump would press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a 21-point peace plan during talks at the White House later on Monday. She said Trump would also speak with the leadership of Qatar, which has acted as a mediator 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,” Leavitt said. “But that is ultimately how we are going to end this conflict.”
Trump to meet Netanyahu
Trump has said he will push Netanyahu to accept a phased plan aimed at halting the nearly two-year war, securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and disarming the Palestinian group.
In a post on social media on Sunday, Trump said “ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER,” after holding talks with key Arab leaders at the United Nations last week.
The White House said Trump and Netanyahu are scheduled to hold a joint press conference at 1:15 pm (1715 GMT), a signal that Washington hopes to announce progress.
Proposed peace plan
According to reports in The Times of Israel and US news site Axios, Trump’s plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages within 48 hours, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. In return, Israel would free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life terms.
Leavitt said Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff had sent “a very detailed 21-point plan to both sides and the president expects both sides to agree.”
Netanyahu defiant at UN
Netanyahu has shown little public enthusiasm for compromise. In a defiant speech at the United Nations on Friday, he vowed to “finish the job” against Hamas and rejected Palestinian statehood, which several Western countries have recently recognised.
Trump, usually a staunch ally of Netanyahu, has in recent weeks signalled frustration. He warned Israel against annexing parts of the occupied West Bank, and opposed an Israeli strike on Hamas negotiation team members in Qatar, a key US ally.
Israel continues Gaza bombardment
Despite the diplomatic manoeuvring, Israeli air strikes continued on Monday. Gaza’s civil defence agency said at least four people were killed in Khan Younis.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing relatives of Israelis held in Gaza, urged Trump not to waver. “We respectfully ask you to stand firm against any attempts to sabotage the deal you have brought forth,” the group said in an open letter.
Gaza death toll
In Gaza, where the war has devastated daily life, residents voiced mixed reactions to reports of a possible breakthrough.
“I don’t expect anything from Trump, because Trump supports Netanyahu in destroying the Gaza Strip and displacing people,” said Mohammed Abu Rabee, 34, as quoted by AFP.
Others held out cautious hope. “We hope Trump’s plan succeeds. We want the war and the killing to stop,” said Hossam Abd Rab, 55. “The army has destroyed everything in Gaza; Gaza is unliveable.”
Israel’s military campaign since October 2023 has killed 66,055 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in Gaza, whose figures the United Nations deems credible.
