Deep divisions over the path forward in Gaza are marring the eve of crucial talks between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raising serious questions about whether a peace deal can be made. Despite U.S. optimism, the two sides remain far apart on fundamental issues.
The primary division is over the core question of war versus diplomacy. The U.S., along with regional Arab partners, is pushing a comprehensive 21-point plan that prioritizes a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement. President Trump has been enthusiastically promoting this path as a historic opportunity for peace.
Israel, under Netanyahu’s leadership, remains committed to a military solution. The government’s stated goal is the eradication of Hamas, and it has pursued this with a relentless offensive in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu has shown little interest in halting this campaign for a deal he may view as inconclusive.
A second major division concerns the future of Gaza. The U.S. envisions a post-war scenario involving a transitional international authority and the eventual return of a reformed Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu has flatly rejected this, expressing a profound lack of trust in the PA and refusing to grant it any role in Gaza’s future.
With such fundamental disagreements on both the immediate and long-term issues, the prospects for a breakthrough at the Monday summit appear challenging. Success will require an extraordinary diplomatic effort from President Trump to bridge a gap that currently seems vast.