WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Sept. 29 to discuss a ceasefire and broader peace plan for Gaza. This will be Netanyahu’s fourth visit to the White House since Trump took office in January.
Trump expressed optimism on Sunday ahead of the meeting.
On the question of amnesty for Hamas members, Netanyahu said the details are still under discussion but suggested amnesty may be possible for those who leave Gaza once hostilities end and the hostages are freed.
“If they finish the war, release all the hostages, we’ll let them out. That is something that we have said in the past but it has to be worked out,” Netanyahu said.
He also pushed back against claims that Israel is engaging in a “starvation policy” in Gaza.
“We pushed 2 million tons of aid into Gaza from the beginning of the war. That’s one ton of aid per person—man, woman, child—per day. … That’s actually 3,000 calories per person per day,” he said, accusing Hamas of attacking the distribution points and looting the aid.
The Israeli prime minister also made clear that any future governing role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza is a “red line.”
“Giving the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after October 7th is like giving Al-Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11th,” he said. “This is sheer madness. It’s insane, and we won’t do it.”
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. No, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,” Trump told reporters on Sept. 25
The war in Gaza has raged since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas, a terrorist group, attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and capturing more than 250 hostages.
Over the past week, Trump has expressed optimism about the talks with Middle Eastern countries, describing them as both “intense” and “productive.”
“Intense negotiations have been going on for four days, and will continue for as long as necessary in order to get a Successfully Completed Agreement.”
Trump said all countries in the region are part of the peace process, and Hamas knows about the talks as well.
“There is more Goodwill and Enthusiasm for getting a Deal done, after so many decades, than I have ever seen before. Everyone is excited to put this period of Death and Darkness behind them,” Trump wrote.
“It is an Honor to be a part of this Negotiation. We must get the Hostages back, and get a PERMANENT AND LONGLASTING PEACE!”
This year, Netanyahu has become the most frequent foreign leader to visit the White House. The first meeting took place in early February, shortly after Trump’s inauguration for his second term, followed by a second meeting in early April addressing new U.S. tariffs on Israel, Iran’s nuclear program, and Turkey-Israel relations. A third meeting occurred in July, primarily focusing on ceasefire efforts in Gaza.
Reuters contributed to this report.
