Can Trump-Netanyahu deliver peace? Focus on high-stakes Gaza ceasefire talks at White House

File photo of US President Donald Trump shaking hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As the war in Gaza stretches into another devastating month, the diplomatic battleground has shifted sharply from Doha to Washington. While Israeli negotiators quietly engage Hamas representatives in Qatar through backchannel talks, the real momentum appears to be building in the US capital, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump for high-stakes discussions.

Trump, who has declared the current 60-day ceasefire proposal as “final,” is hoping to unveil the deal alongside Netanyahu at the White House, positioning himself as a central force in efforts to end the conflict. The meeting comes at a pivotal moment, with both political pressure and the humanitarian toll reaching critical highs, and analysts now watching closely to see whether Washington can succeed where previous rounds of mediation have failed.

Why Washington matters more than Qatar

Despite Israel and Hamas resuming indirect talks in Doha, those discussions have yielded little progress. The delegation in Qatar, reportedly lacking full authority, has been unable to finalize a deal.

With momentum stalling, attention has turned to Washington, where Trump and Netanyahu may attempt to bridge gaps, particularly over hostages, aid distribution, Israeli withdrawal, and governance of Gaza. A political breakthrough could emerge here.

Netanyahu said Sunday that he hoped his upcoming meeting with Trump could "help advance" a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Speaking before boarding Israel's state jet bound for Washington, Netanyahu said: "We are working to achieve this deal that we have discussed, under the conditions that we have agreed to."

He added he had dispatched the team to Doha "with clear instructions", and thought the meeting with Trump "can definitely help advance this (deal), which we are all hoping for".

Complex personal and political dynamics

Trump and Netanyahu share a long, complicated relationship, marked by public tension before aligning over US-Israeli actions in Iran, signalling renewed cooperation. Analysts believe Netanyahu, on stronger domestic footing, now has the diplomatic freedom to pursue a ceasefire without immediate backlash.

Key issues: Hostages, aid, troop withdrawal

The US-proposed agreement includes:

• A 60-day ceasefire and phased Israeli troop withdrawal
• Phased release of hostages - 10 alive, 18 deceased - with Hamas holding 20 remaining
• Expanded UN and Red Crescent oversight of aid operations
• Clearer terms on the withdrawal timeline and governance of Gaza

Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 57,418 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers the figures reliable.