US President Donald Trump is once again stepping into the Middle East spotlight by hosting Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
The meeting comes amid big hopes and big tensions as Trump pushes a new peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s visit, his fourth this year, happens at a time when the situation in Gaza remains dire, with mounting humanitarian concerns and international pressure mounting.
But cracks appear between the two leaders over key parts of Trump’s plan, leaving many to wonder if a breakthrough is even possible.
The Gaza peace plan: Where Trump and Netanyahu clash
Trump’s new 21-point peace plan aims to bring some much-needed calm to Gaza, but it’s not exactly a smooth pitch to Netanyahu.
The plan calls for Hamas to release all hostages quickly, a big demand considering about 20 hostages are still thought to be alive.
It also lays out steps to pull Israeli forces back from Gaza gradually, while pumping in humanitarian aid to ease widespread suffering.
The plan even suggests handing over Gaza’s governance to an improved Palestinian Authority.
But Netanyahu isn’t sold. His government firmly rejects the idea of a Palestinian state, and he’s wary about letting the Palestinian Authority have any real control in Gaza.
Plus, he’s dug in his heels on Israel keeping rights over the West Bank, something Trump opposes. There’s also strong resistance in Netanyahu’s camp about giving any sort of safe passage or amnesty to Hamas fighters.
So, while Trump’s vision aims for peace, Netanyahu’s stance makes clear there’s still plenty of roadblocks ahead.
Trump’s balancing act amid global concerns
Trump’s drive to push this peace deal comes at a tricky moment on the world stage. Many countries recently recognized Palestinian statehood, but Trump and Netanyahu both say no way.
Trump says he’s optimistic, though, hinting he thinks Netanyahu is ready to make a deal and even calling the chances “really good.”
Still, Hamas hasn’t even seen the US plan officially, and the group remains a central and tough player in any peace agreement.
Meanwhile, Israel faces growing global criticism over its military campaign in Gaza, accused by many of humanitarian missteps.
Trump’s administration is trying to walk a tight line: supporting Israel’s security while calming international uproar and pushing for a ceasefire.
Today’s White House meeting will be a critical moment to see if Trump can bridge these deep divides and push forward a path to peace.
The world’s watching and hoping desperately for a breakthrough, though no one’s expecting it to be easy.
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