U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed strong optimism about the ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, saying talks are “going along very well” as he hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Trump, who returned to power nearly six months ago, made the remarks during a private dinner with Netanyahu, which was initially closed to the media. In an unexpected exchange with reporters, Trump said he believes Hamas is ready to end the nearly 22-month-long conflict in Gaza. “They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire,” he said.
The high-stakes meeting follows a new round of indirect negotiations in Doha, Qatar, which ended without a breakthrough but are expected to continue this week. Trump’s administration has put forward a 60-day ceasefire proposal under which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in five stages. In exchange, Israel would release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners and withdraw from parts of Gaza.
However, major obstacles remain. A key sticking point is the future of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which Hamas insists must be shut down a demand the Israeli delegation says it is not authorized to negotiate.
Trump, in his meeting with Netanyahu, emphasized his intent to push for a truce and the return of hostages. Netanyahu, while praising Trump’s peace efforts and nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, reiterated Israel’s firm stance on maintaining security control over Gaza.
“If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave,” Netanyahu said, suggesting possible relocation of Palestinians a proposal Palestinian leaders say would violate international law.
Outside the White House, demonstrators called for Netanyahu’s arrest, pointing to an International Criminal Court warrant issued against him for alleged war crimes. The Trump administration has condemned the ICC and imposed sanctions on its judges.
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to join the Doha talks later this week, while the administration continues to explore broader regional diplomacy, including a possible meeting with Iran.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed Trump’s commitment: “Ending the war in Gaza is his utmost priority.”
