What we need to know

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that he is “confident” peace can be achieved in Gaza, as he welcomed Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.

The Israeli Prime Minister apologized to the Emir of Qatar for the strike in Doha.

Trump is pushing for a new peace plan aimed at ending the Israel–Gaza war.

Netanyahu stressed that “nothing has been finalized yet,” while Hamas stated that it has not officially received the proposal.

Official White House announcement on the phone call

President Trump requested and held a three-way conversation between the U.S., Qatar, and Israel. This confirms earlier leaks about Israel apologizing to Qatar for the bombings in Doha.

Netanyahu also personally committed that no similar incident will occur again.

Qatar accepted Netanyahu’s apology and declared its readiness to once again participate in efforts to find an immediate solution to the war. It also emphasized that it will support Trump’s efforts to find a resolution.

Trump thanked Netanyahu and Al Thani for the speed with which they resolved their dispute.

A senior Israeli official stated that there are five key conditions for ending the war from Israel’s side: the complete disarmament of Hamas, the return of all hostages, the demilitarization of Gaza, the maintenance of Israel’s security control, and the establishment of a new administration that does not come from either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority (which governs parts of the West Bank).

These specific conditions are in contrast with Hamas’s demands, which include a full Israeli withdrawal and no obligation to disarm.

Netanyahu arrived at the White House at 6:20

At around 6:20, Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House, where he was greeted by Donald Trump. The two presidents posed for the customary photographs, had a brief conversation, and then moved inside.

A journalist shouted a question from afar to Trump, as Netanyahu arrived, asking if he was optimistic that there would be a Gaza agreement soon.
“Yes, I’m very optimistic,” he replied.

Today marks Benjamin Netanyahu’s third visit to the White House in the past nine months and, by all appearances, the most critical one, as Donald Trump seems determined to persuade him to sign an agreement to end hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

• Donald Trump is reported to have drawn up a 21-point plan to end the hostilities in Gaza.
• Netanyahu maintains reservations, according to Israeli officials.
• Israel sets out five conditions for a ceasefire.
• “Agreement or a rift in our relations” is the dilemma Trump is expected to present to the Israeli Prime Minister.
• The White House expresses optimism that the two leaders will reach an agreement.
• The families of the hostages have asked Trump not to yield to any possible attempts by Netanyahu to sabotage the agreement.