US President Donald Trump said he is “close” to a peaceagreement that would end the war in Gaza following his meeting with IsraeliPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders met at the White House on Monday. Ahead of the meeting, the Trump administration released a20-point roadmap for peace in Gaza. The roadmap seeks an end to the war, the release ofremaining hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave. The plan outlines two possible pathways to peace. Under thefirst, Israeli forces will pull back to agreed lines if Hamas releases allhostages within 72 hours. Under the second, if Hamas refuses, Israel will keep itsoffensive in Gaza while gradually transferring territory to a transitionalauthority. In a joint press conference after the meeting, Netanyahuexpressed support for the plan, saying it achieves Israel’s war aims. Israel’s war goals, according to Netanyahu, include a returnof all hostages – alive and dead; Hamas’ disarmament; the group’s withdrawalfrom Gaza; Israeli security administration of Gaza, including a securityperimeter for the foreseeable future; and a peaceful civilian administration inthe enclave that is run neither by Hamas nor by the Palestinian authority. Hamas has yet to agree to the plan. Trump said Netanyahu would have his “full backing” to carryout any actions if Hamas rejects the proposal.
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