Netanyahu and Trump’s Last-Minute White House Meeting: Walking a Tightrope
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are set to meet today on Sunday to discuss the second stage of negotiations for the Gaza hostage agreement. This follows a meeting between Netanyahu and Trump’s Middle East representative Steve Witkoff in Washington.
The negotiations for the second stage of the Gaza hostage agreement will see a shift in diplomatic strategy, with Netanyahu and Minister of Strategic Works Ron Dermer taking over from previous negotiators. This change is seen as crucial in determining the future of the war in Gaza and its impact on potential normalization agreements with countries like Saudi Arabia.
Critics have labeled the negotiations as Netanyahu’s “walking on a rope,” suggesting that the political stakes are high for Israel. Trump’s recent comments expressing uncertainty about the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire have added pressure on Netanyahu to secure a favorable outcome.
Meanwhile, Arab countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, have sent a joint letter to the United States opposing the removal of Palestinians from Gaza. This comes after Trump suggested a plan to relocate Palestinians as a solution to the ongoing conflict.
As the second stage of negotiations for the Gaza agreement is set to begin, the focus will be on the return of surviving hostages, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the potential transfer of control over the Rafah crossing. The negotiations are expected to be complex and could span years, with a focus on the exchange of deceased hostages and a reconstruction plan for Gaza.
