US President Donald Trump is pressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire with the terrorist organization Hamas, while simultaneously advancing a US-guaranteed agreement between Israel and Syria. The White House aims to secure a regional breakthrough during Netanyahu’s visit to Washington this week, Israel Hayom has learned.
Trump and his aides are working intensively to broker a deal that could see the release of hostages and potentially bring an end to the war in Gaza during Netanyahu’s time in the US capital. According to sources close to the White House, Trump is determined “to stop the killing in Gaza” and is therefore orchestrating a regional peace framework involving Israel and its neighbors. A key element in this package of diplomatic incentives is a potential agreement between Israel and Syria.
Israel Hayom has also learned that a Trump envoy departed for Damascus on Monday in a bid to finalize an agreement between Jerusalem and Damascus, backed by US guarantees, within days. Simultaneously, the US administration announced it would lift sanctions on the Al-Tahrir organization, which was previously headed by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa before he seized control of the country. Trump believes a deal with Syria could politically pave the way for Netanyahu to ease his position on the Gaza front.
Steve Witkoff. Photo: Reuters Reuters
At the same time, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Doha, where negotiations are ongoing over a potential hostage deal and ceasefire terms. Witkoff’s visit comes as Israel and a group affiliated with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair unveiled a plan to establish a “humanitarian city” in southern Gaza and possibly beyond, aimed at severing Hamas’ control over the local population.
In Washington, Netanyahu’s team continued to receive real-time updates on the hostage deal negotiations. Israeli officials reported progress in the talks. A member of Netanyahu’s entourage with knowledge of the discussions stated that “contrary to unfounded reports of a deadlock, the negotiating team is in ongoing contact with the mediators in proximity talks in Doha, including at this very moment.”
Trump’s hope is to finalize key elements by Thursday, while Netanyahu is still in the US capital: a hostage deal involving a two-month ceasefire in Gaza, potentially extendable, and a parallel agreement with Syria, all under American guarantees to ensure Israel’s security. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt emphasized in a briefing Monday that Trump wants to end the war in Gaza.
IDF operations in the Gaza Strip
A meeting between Trump and Netanyahu was planned for Monday night at the White House. Though officially described as a dinner, it was unusually scheduled for the evening and excluded media coverage. According to informed sources, Trump planned to pressure Netanyahu on Gaza in exchange for a major diplomatic breakthrough for Israel in the region. However, Netanyahu’s aides insisted the meeting’s timing and format had no bearing on the agenda’s substance.
Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that he does not oppose ending the war, provided the terms include dismantling Hamas’ military and governing capabilities. He also continues to reject any suggestion of rhetorical acceptance of a Palestinian state as a condition for a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia, according to his associates. Netanyahu maintains that after the October 7 massacre, the idea of a Palestinian state is off the table permanently.
The Gaza border fence is breached by Hamas bulldozers on October 7 Arab Networks
The unresolved question remains whether a compromise can be reached between Israel and Hamas. Sources in the terrorist group have for some time claimed a willingness to relinquish power in Gaza, though the credibility of those claims is unclear. Meanwhile, there are rumors of a potential “symbolic exile” of remaining Hamas leaders, meaning only a small number may actually be expelled. Netanyahu’s inner circle has declined to discuss such details. In other words, Israel has not publicly defined what concrete steps would constitute the “dismantling of Hamas rule.”
Netanyahu’s spokesperson, Ziv Agmon, told Israel Hayom that topics to be raised in the meeting include “the success of the joint operation in Iran, maintaining those achievements and preventing a nuclear resurgence, the release of the hostages, the defeat of Hamas, and the expansion of the Abraham Accords to include additional nations.”
Agmon added that “the prime minister and President Trump share a longstanding personal friendship.” On Tuesday, Netanyahu is expected to meet with Vice President J.D. Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson. On Wednesday, he will meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and on Thursday with leaders of the Jewish community. Netanyahu’s entourage clarified that the prime minister does not intend to extend his US visit into the weekend, in contrast to previous trips.