Trump Signals Major Middle East Peace Breakthrough Ahead of Netanyahu Meeting

US President Donald Trump on Sunday indicated a potential breakthrough in the Middle East crisis, declaring "all are on board for something special," just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled White House visit.

"We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST," Trump announced on his Truth Social platform. "ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!"

Trump had previously told reporters in Washington, "I think we have a deal on Gaza. I think it's a deal that will get the hostages back, I think it's a deal that will end the war."

Netanyahu's Monday White House meeting follows Trump's unveiling of a 21-point plan aimed at ending the Gaza war during discussions with Arab and Muslim leaders at the UN General Assembly.

This meeting occurs as Israel faces growing international isolation with Britain, France, Canada, and Australia officially recognizing Palestinian statehood, breaking from longstanding US-led diplomatic positions.

According to a diplomatic source who spoke to AFP, Trump's plan envisions a permanent ceasefire, hostage release, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and substantial humanitarian aid delivery.

"I hope we can, we can make it a go, because we want to free our hostages," Netanyahu stated on Fox News Sunday. "We want to get rid of Hamas rule and have them disarmed, Gaza demilitarised, and a new future set up for Gazans and Israelis alike, and for the whole region."

Arab and Muslim leaders have welcomed the proposal while continuing to call for an immediate halt to Israel's military operations and any occupation of Gaza.

One controversial element of the plan involves the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority in future Gaza governance.

"I think that the credibility or the likelihood of... a reformed Palestinian Authority that changes completely its stripes, you know, that accepts a Jewish state that teaches its children to embrace the coexistence and and friendship with the Jewish state, rather than living their lives in order to annihilate it... well, good luck," Netanyahu remarked. "I don't think it's going to happen."

At the United Nations on Friday, Netanyahu pledged to block a Palestinian state while committing to "finish the job" against Hamas.

Hamas conducted the deadliest attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to AFP's tally from Israeli official figures, marking the most devastating day in the country's history.

The Palestinian militants also took 251 hostages, of which 47 remain in Gaza, including 25 the Israeli military believes are deceased.

Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed at least 66,005 people, also mostly civilians, according to health ministry figures from the Hamas-run territory that the United Nations considers reliable.