After he meets with US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a press conference at the White House on Monday at 20:15 Israeli time. A diplomatic source stated there is "deep Qatari involvement" in contacts for the emerging agreement. Netanyahu's circle denied this. American envoy Steve Witkoff prepared a Plan B in case an agreement isn't reached on the American plan – declaring acceptance of most of the plan and opening negotiations on the remaining clauses. Netanyahu's circle strongly denies Qatari involvement in implementing the agreement, claiming the involvement that existed and remains is in the mediation aspect.
Furthermore, US President Donald Trump's agenda was disclosed. At 16:00, the president will sign an executive directive in the Oval Office, restricted from media. At 18:00, the president will welcome the Israeli prime minister at a viewing site, accessible to media. At 18:35, the president will engage in a two-party discussion with the Israeli prime minister in the Oval Office, restricted from media. At 19:00, the president will engage in a two-party meal with the Israeli prime minister in the Cabinet Room, restricted from media.
At 20:15, the president will engage in a media briefing with the Israeli prime minister in the State Dining Room, for previously authorized reporters. At 22:00, the president will convene with the two-party two-chamber leadership in the Oval Office, restricted from media. At 00:30, the president will engage in a Gold Star families gathering function in the East Room overnight.
Witkoff anticipates that he will be able to initiate a captive liberation procedure and reduce hostilities in Gaza, thereby facilitating productive discussions. However, this represents merely the backup proposal; currently under consideration is the designated 21-provision proposal.
The proposal's likelihood of achievement remains uncertain; however, multiple elements, particularly the conflict's length and the fatigue of all parties, especially Hamas', could result in its approval and, at the very least, initiate its execution. Hamas initially constituted the primary undermining element of earlier suggestions for truces and concluding the conflict through introducing requirements that signified for Israel maintaining its security vulnerability in immediate and extended periods. Israel additionally contributes to the absence of advancement, whether due to political/security considerations, yet whenever an opportunity existed for a settlement, Hamas blocked finalization.
Now it faces a real dilemma – on one hand, its forces in the field are exhausted, every day the IDF eliminates dozens of terrorists, including commanders at various levels, and in some cases, their family members are also killed. Its people try to tail IDF soldiers and record isolated successes, without affecting forces' advancement in Gaza City.
The unrest against Hamas is intensifying. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that not only the al-Shabab clan is fighting Hamas but also other groups, and Israel encourages this.
The plan is divided into two parts: the ceasefire conditions and post-war Gaza. Under the ceasefire, Israel is supposed to receive all hostages, living and deceased, already at the beginning, despite Hamas' demand for gradual release, and in return, it ceases fire, begins a gradual withdrawal process, and allows aid entry freely. Contrary to what was reported in several places, there's no agreement to close the GHF aid fund, which distributes enormous quantities of food daily quite effectively. The disputes are about the gradualness of withdrawal and Hamas' disarmament.
Israel demands a long-term presence in the Philadelphi Corridor and perimeter, where it has already established permanent positions. Hamas and Qatar demand setting a near date for complete withdrawal, and only then releasing all hostages. The issue of Hamas' weapons has no practical solution currently. The latest formulation speaks of demilitarizing the Strip, but there was no agreement on an explicit formulation that Hamas must surrender all its weapons. Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and the PA side with the Israeli position that Hamas must surrender "all" weapons.
In the plan's second part – real expansion regarding the Strip's rehabilitation and its management by a multinational body with Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Egypt setting the tone, but the Palestinian Authority also has a part, albeit symbolic. The Authority, which, according to international law, is still the sovereign responsible for Gaza, is supposed to "invite" the multinational forces and give them control and rehabilitation powers.
