US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about ongoing ceasefire talks aimed at ending the 21-month war in Gaza, saying negotiations were “going along very well” as he welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Monday.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a closed-door dinner, Trump suggested Hamas was open to halting the conflict. “They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire,” he said, offering a more hopeful tone than previous US statements on the stalled talks.
The leaders’ meeting came just after indirect negotiations in Qatar between Hamas and Israel failed to reach a breakthrough. Talks are expected to resume this week, with renewed US pressure to push both sides toward a deal.
Trump’s remarks followed a question from a journalist asking what was preventing an agreement. I don’t think there is a hold-up, the president responded. I think things are going along very well.He also claimed to have cooperation from neighboring countries to assist in potential relocation plans for Palestinians.
Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed that his government was in talks with the US to identify countries willing to host Palestinians seeking to leave Gaza. However, he appeared to dismiss the prospect of a full Palestinian state, saying Israel would maintain permanent security control over the territory.
The Palestinian Authority has strongly opposed any proposals for forced relocation, calling them a violation of international law. Despite this, Netanyahu maintained that Palestinians who wish to leave should be allowed to do so, while others may choose to remain.
In a symbolic gesture during the visit, Netanyahu presented Trump with a letter nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, praising the US leader for “forging peace in one country, in one region after the other.” Trump, who has long desired the prize, smiled as he accepted the letter.
Protests erupted outside the White House as Netanyahu arrived, with demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and calling for his arrest. The Israeli leader, along with former defense minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over alleged war crimes.
The US-backed ceasefire plan on the table would involve Hamas releasing 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others over five phases during a 60-day truce. In return, Israel would withdraw from parts of Gaza and release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners.
Despite some signs of progress, key sticking points remain. Hamas has demanded the closure of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, while Israeli negotiators insist they are not authorized to discuss that matter. US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to join the talks in Doha later this week in an effort to bridge the gap.
Trump’s administration has made ending the Gaza conflict a top foreign policy priority. While US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee declined to guarantee an extension of the proposed ceasefire, Trump maintains there is a “good chance” of achieving a breakthrough and ending the war soon.
