LagosExplorer reports that US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism over ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza, stating that negotiations are “going along very well” as he hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington DC.
The high-stakes meeting marks a pivotal moment in a 21-month conflict that has ravaged the Gaza Strip and strained global diplomatic efforts.
In a rare on-camera moment during what was initially billed as a private dinner, Trump told reporters that he believes Hamas is ready to accept a ceasefire, adding, “They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire.” His remarks came just after another round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha ended without a breakthrough, though talks are expected to resume later this week.
The White House confirmed that the president is pressing for a 60-day ceasefire deal that would involve the phased release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies held by Hamas, in exchange for Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners and withdrawing from parts of Gaza. Trump has made it clear he expects results, saying, “We’ll have a deal this week.”
Netanyahu, appearing alongside Trump, reaffirmed Israel's commitment to working with the US on offering Palestinians what he called “a better future,” while reiterating that Israel would maintain full security control over Gaza—effectively ruling out full Palestinian statehood. “If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave,” he said, further fuelling criticism of displacement plans already rejected by the Palestinian leadership.
In a gesture designed to show gratitude, Netanyahu presented Trump with a letter nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, praising him for “forging peace in one region after another.” The move was widely seen as a bid to underscore Trump’s influence in the Middle East peace process, especially after recent US-brokered talks helped end a 12-day war between Israel and Iran.
Outside the White House, protests erupted, with demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and demanding Netanyahu’s arrest. The Israeli PM, along with former defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, remains the subject of an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes—charges Netanyahu has called antisemitic. In response, Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on four ICC judges.
Despite the show of unity inside the White House, obstacles to a final Gaza ceasefire remain significant. One major sticking point involves Hamas’s demand to dismantle the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a condition Israeli negotiators have refused to entertain, claiming they lack the authority to make such a decision.
Meanwhile, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is expected to join the Doha negotiations later this week in a last-ditch effort to seal a deal. Speaking during the Washington dinner, Witkoff confirmed a new US meeting with Iran was also in the works, and Trump indicated a willingness to lift sanctions on Tehran if broader regional stability could be achieved.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, in an interview with the BBC, refused to confirm whether Trump would guarantee an extension of the proposed ceasefire beyond 60 days—one of Hamas’s core demands. “I simply don’t know,” Huckabee said, adding to uncertainty surrounding the final shape of the agreement.
Netanyahu’s latest visit to the US—the third since Trump returned to power six months ago—may prove to be the most consequential yet. With pressure mounting on both leaders to end a war that has claimed thousands of lives and destabilised the region, the coming days will be critical.
LagosExplorer will continue to provide updates as the ceasefire negotiations intensify.