Trump aims to secure Gaza ceasefire deal with Netanyahu this Monday
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump promises to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal by September 29 in a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Axios and Reuters.
In an interview with Axios, Trump said talks to end the war in Gaza are "at their final stages." He added that the agreement could pave the way for broader peace across the Middle East.
"Everybody has come together to get a deal, but we still have to get it done," the US leader said.
Steps toward peace
According to Trump, Israel, Hamas, and Arab countries have given a "very positive response" to a plan he proposed recently. The plan aims to restore peace not only in Gaza but across the entire region.
"The Arab world wants peace, Israel wants peace, and Bibi (Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu -ed.) wants peace. If we get this done, it will be a great day for Israel and for the Middle East. It will be the first chance for real peace in the Middle East. But we have to get it done first," Trump said.
Sources told Axios that Trump and Netanyahu will meet at the White House on September 29. Trump said the Israeli Prime Minister supports his peace plan, though there have been no official comments from the Israeli government.
Potential obstacles
Several disagreements could block the deal. Israel demands strict disarmament of Hamas, and Netanyahu has told Western media that he opposes any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, calling it a "red line."
"Israel and Arab countries have all been trying to make amendments to the text in negotiations over the past five days, sources with knowledge of the talks say. Netanyahu said negotiations over the plan are ongoing and the deal hasn't been finalized," Axios added.
Prospects are promising
Reuters conducted a phone interview with Trump on September 28. The US President said he received a "very good response" and hopes to finalize a peace deal with Netanyahu tomorrow.
US Vice President J.D. Vance said he is optimistic about the three-part plan Trump proposed. It calls for the return of all hostages, Hamas disarmament, and restoration of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"I feel more optimistic about where we are right now than where we have been at any point in the last few months, but let's be realistic, these things can get derailed at the very last minute," he said.
Trump recently announced effective negotiations aimed at enabling a final peace agreement to end the war in Gaza. He also promised that the US would prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank and would monitor the implementation of the agreement.
On September 28, Trump publicly presented a Gaza ceasefire plan that includes several key points, such as disarming Hamas and freeing all hostages.
