Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday amid renewed hopes for a hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas. The talks come as indirect negotiations resumed Sunday evening in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, aiming to secure a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
Trump expressed cautious optimism about the prospects of an agreement, telling reporters, “We’ve gotten a lot of the hostages out, but pertaining to the remaining hostages, quite a few of them will be coming out.” Netanyahu, before departing for Washington, said his meeting with Trump could “definitely help advance” negotiations, though he reiterated that Hamas’ latest demands—including conditions on Israel’s military withdrawal and aid distribution—remain “unacceptable.”
According to Palestinian sources, the U.S.-backed proposal under discussion includes a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and several bodies in exchange for Palestinian detainees. However, sticking points persist, particularly around Hamas’ insistence on guarantees against resumed fighting and the restoration of UN-led aid operations in Gaza.
The talks mark a critical juncture in the conflict, which has dragged on for months with devastating humanitarian consequences. While Netanyahu has authorized his negotiating team to pursue a deal, significant gaps remain. The outcome of his White House meeting—and whether it can break the deadlock—will be closely watched as regional and global powers push for a resolution.