Trump and Netanyahu discuss in Washington a truce and the release of hostages in Gaza

The president of the United States, Donald Trump, received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House to analyze a 21-point peace plan that seeks a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of 48 hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas.

"I'm very confident," Trump declared to the press, reaffirming his optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement.

The plan promoted by Washington

The proposal, drafted by Tony Blair and endorsed by the United States along with the Arab League, seeks to lay the foundations for a political transition in the Gaza Strip after a cessation of hostilities.

It includes the surrender of weapons by the terrorist group Hamas, the reconstruction of the territory, and the possibility of moving toward a Palestinian state, a point that sparks strong controversy in Israel.

Tensions in Israel

The Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, conditioned his party's support on guarantees such as the dismantling of Hamas, full control of the Gaza perimeter by Israeli forces, and the exclusion of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) from the transition.

He also demanded limiting Qatar's role and granting Gazans the freedom to leave the enclave.

Conflicting positions

Netanyahu has remained firm in rejecting any reference to a Palestinian state, which he described as "pure madness" at the UN.

From Washington, Trump assured that he would not allow Israeli annexation attempts in the West Bank, in an effort to balance security demands with international pressures.

The role of Arab actors

Several countries in the region and the PNA proposed changes to the draft. They consider that the demands on Hamas are too strict and call for a political transition with a leading role for the Palestinian Authority.

They also reject Tony Blair overseeing the process and demand that any eventual international force only operate at the borders, without deploying inside the Strip.