CNN
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The meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump has been the third White House mark since January. Unlike the previous two episodes, there are no public events in the schedule. The highly consequential Middle East discussion of the two leaders will be completely private.
This difference highlights Trump’s parallel approach to Israeli counterparts. Even if he closes Netanyahu and closes Netanyahu, asking him to join Israel’s war with Iran and cancel Netanyahu’s corruption trial, he is pressured by the Prime Minister to do something for him: end the war in Gaza.
For Trump, the deal that ends the 21-month conflict in Gaza will be another data point for both his efforts to win the Nobel Peace Prize and his longstanding, extremely difficult quest to solidify peace in the Middle East as part of his legacy. He clearly sees Netanyahu as an important ally in his goal, but when the president appears to have become a barrier instead, he occasionally rampages at Israeli leaders. Now, Trump is necessary for both Hamas and Netanyahu to agree on the terms they each rejected previously: whether a ceasefire would end the war in full.
After halting months of progress, it appears there is new momentum for the trade. Trump needs to potentially ensure that it doesn’t fall apart by putting additional pressure on Netanyahu during his White House visit.
“The president could put pressure on the prime minister, but if he did, he could also seduce him, give him carrots,” said Michael Oren, former US ambassador to Israel. “If Iran visits Iran, it’s about maintaining military options at the Iranian table. If Iran tries to rebuild some of its nuclear facilities that have been destroyed or erased, it’s a very difficult decision given the depth of American opposition, given the further decision of US military involvement in Iran.”
Israeli-Hamas negotiators were in Qatar, which would allow them to strike details of a 60-day ceasefire, including the gradual release of hostages, to allow new aid to flow to the besieged enclaves. Trump’s foreign mission Steve Witkoff is scheduled to take part in talks later this week, the White House said Monday.
Qatar submitted its latest proposal earlier last week, and was quickly accepted by Israel. The plan sought to address one of Hamas’ important demands that Hamas’ important contracts lead to the comprehensive purpose of the war.
On Friday, Hamas said it was proactive in responding to the proposal but also requested adjustments. Despite saying these changes are “unacceptable,” Israel has announced that it will send a team to participate in one of the final stages of the process, the proximity consultation, prior to the final contract.
In the past, ceasefire transactions have seemed close, but only to evaporate refractory disagreements. However, the changing dynamics in the region, prompted by a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, seemed to generate greater optimism that the deal could be at hand.
“The Prime Minister’s coming to this meeting has now been greatly strengthened by Israel’s military victory over Iran. The President is greatly strengthened by the American victory over Iran,” Oren said. “Both leaders can show some flexibility. Obviously, the president wants this deal.”
If an agreement arises, Trump appears to be poised to take credit with Netanyahu’s help. The Prime Minister left Israel to come to Washington and said that a meeting with Trump would “certainly help to advance these outcomes.” And it was clear that Trump wanted the meeting to go on.
“I think there will be a deal with Hamas this week in connection with a considerable number of hostages,” Trump told New Jersey reporters Sunday, as he was preparing to return to Washington.
In Trump’s mind, ending the war in Gaza could be a critical step towards the region’s larger goals, including the biggest award to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel as part of the Abraham Agreement he mediated during his first term. Participating in the agreement in Riyadh could encourage other Arab or Muslim countries as well.
Saudi Arabian leaders include powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – have made ceasefire deals important for Trump’s wider ambitions, saying that normalization will not occur while the war in Gaza is underway.
Also important to Trump’s broader goals: a discussion of what will happen in Gaza after the war is over. Israel claims that Gaza cannot rule the enclave. It remains unclear what role the Palestinian authorities will play. Supporting Gaza reconstruction is important to ensure support from the Gulf countries.
One rarely discussed option is Trump’s proposal, first raised when he visited Netanyahu’s White House in February.
The plan sparked a stir when Trump first raised the idea alongside Netanyahu at an East Room press conference. But most of the public debates on the President’s Middle East plan, at least.
On Monday, White House spokesman Caroline Leavitt said the war had to end before the reconstruction began, and hostages were back.
“This has become an uninhabitable place for humans. The President has a big heart. He hopes that this is a prosperous and safe part of the area where people and families can thrive. “But now, we need to end this war and bring all the hostages home.”