Israel and Hamas are "very close" to reaching an agreement on a framework deal to end the war in Gaza and ensure lasting peace in the Middle East, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.
Leavitt, speaking on Fox News' Fox and Friends program, said President Donald Trump would discuss a 21-point peace plan with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House later on Monday. Trump will speak to leaders in Qatar, who have served as intermediaries with Hamas, on Monday, she said.
"To reach a reasonable deal for both sides, both sides have to give up a little bit and might leave the table a little bit unhappy, but that is ultimately how we are going to end this conflict," she said.
Witkoff added that it was Trump's expectation that both sides agree to the plan drafted by special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
Netanyahu told Fox News on Sunday that though the Trump plan has not been finalized, he hopes to advance it.
“We are currently working with President Trump’s team on the 21-point agreement. We hope to successfully advance the deal,” he said.
During the Fox interview, Netanyahu confirmed that Israel would be willing to allow Hamas leaders to leave Gaza in exchange for the release of the remaining 48 hostages and an end to the war.
“We want to free the hostages, and for Gaza to be demilitarized,” he said.
If the plan were to be agreed upon, the war reportedly would be ended in 48 hours, with all 48 hostages released, and the IDF would withdraw.
Other points in the 21-point plan include the immediate provision of aid and Israel’s promise not to strike Qatar again. Regarding the last clause, the prime minister said he would discuss it with the Trump administration, but declined to confirm whether Israel would refrain from future strikes on Qatar.
When asked whether he regretted the IAF strikes on Qatar, given the regional implications, Netanyahu replied, “I think the US and any self-respecting country doesn’t give a pass to terrorists. We weren’t attacking Qatar any more than the US was attacking Pakistan when it took out [Osama] bin Laden.”
International community expresses hope ahead of Trump, Bibi meeting
Germany, Egypt, and the UAE all commented on their hopes and support for Trump's proposal.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrote on X/Twitter that the war in Gaza must end, Hamas must release the hostages, and we are close to achieving this solution thanks to the US.
Germany worked hard to reach this goal, Wadephul added, calling on "all sides to show the courage to take the final decisive step."
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed their support following a meeting between the two Middle East leaders in Cairo, the Egyptian President's Office confirmed.
Mathilda Heller and Shir Perets contributed to this report.