President Donald Trump is set to host Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House on Monday to discuss a new US plan to end the war in Gaza.
The high-stakes meeting comes as the Israeli leader is under mounting pressure to end the nearly two-year war and follows a walkout by dozens of delegates at the UN General Assembly during his address in New York.
Mr Trump has hinted at a breakthrough. "We have a real chance for greatness in the Middle East," Mr Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Sunday, without providing details. "All are on board for something special, first time ever. We will get it done."
Mr Netanyahu on Sunday said he hoped the proposal would succeed because he wants to see the hostages released, the end of Hamas rule and the establishment of "a new future" for the region.
"Well, we're working on it," Mr Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News. "It's not been finalised yet, but we're working with President Trump's team, actually, as we speak. And I hope we can."
Mr Netanyahu arrived in the US on Thursday before his address to the UN General Assembly, where he gave a defiant speech vowing to press on with the war until Hamas is defeated.
More than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed during the war, Gaza's Health Ministry estimates, and much of the coastal enclave has been made uninhabitable.
Amid rising global concern over civilian casualties in Gaza and a humanitarian crisis, western countries have recently joined a list of nations recognising a Palestinian state, drawing intense anger from Mr Netanyahu.
He said such a move "rewards" Hamas, the group that attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 and taking hundreds hostage.
Mr Trump said the push for statehood recognition was inconsequential.
Last week, the Trump administration presented a 21-point Gaza plan to Arab leaders on the sidelines of the UNGA. Jordan’s King Abdullah on Sunday said the proposal was "in line with what has been agreed upon".
The plan features a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all remaining Israeli hostages as its core elements. It also includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and outlines the governing of post-war Gaza, which explicitly excludes Hamas. Instead, governing could be handled by qualified Palestinians, international experts, or under a transitional authority.
Reconstruction of Gaza – expected to take years – is also included, with funding from Arab and Muslim countries, as well as international organisations. Aid would be allowed in, without restriction.
Crucially, the plan includes a US guarantee that Israel will not annex parts of the West Bank – a major demand from Arab states involved in the talks.
"I think we have a deal on Gaza," Mr Trump said on Friday.
Mr Netanyahu, who vowed to "finish the job" in Gaza, did not address the issue of West Bank annexation in his UN speech. Israel's long-time leader, who heads a right-wing government, has retained the backing of the US, Israel's most important ally.
But Mr Trump has recently shown signs of impatience, saying he would not "allow" Israel to annex the West Bank.
Some analysts, however, say Mr Trump's assertion was co-ordinated with Mr Netanyahu before the visit, as it would reduce pressure from the extreme elements of his coalition.
Monday's visit would be the fourth by Mr Netanyahu to the White House since Mr Trump became President for a second time in January.
