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U.S. President Donald Trump signaled confidence Sunday about prospects for ending the war in Gaza, declaring there is "a real chance for greatness in the Middle East" as he prepares for crucial talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
The president offered his most optimistic assessment yet of ongoing negotiations, though he provided few specifics about a potential ceasefire-for-hostages agreement that has eluded negotiators for nearly two years of conflict.
"We have a real chance for Greatness in the Middle East. All are on board for something special, first time ever. We will get it done," Trump wrote on Truth Social while traveling to his Virginia golf club.
Vice President JD Vance echoed the administration's cautious hope during a Sunday television appearance, describing himself as "cautiously hopeful" while acknowledging the complexity of the diplomatic effort.
"I feel more optimistic about where we are right now than where we have been at any point in the last few months, but let's be realistic, these things can get derailed at the very last minute," Vance told Fox News Sunday.
The negotiations center on what the administration calls a comprehensive 21-point peace plan unveiled to international leaders at the United Nations this week. The proposal addresses three core objectives: securing the return of all hostages, eliminating Hamas as a threat to Israel, and dramatically increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
According to administration officials, the framework calls for the release of all remaining hostages within 48 hours of a ceasefire, coupled with a permanent end to hostilities and gradual Israeli withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip. In exchange, Israel would release approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and around 2,000 Palestinians detained since the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The plan envisions a post-war Gaza governed by a technocratic administration without Hamas involvement, backed by an international board including Arab nations and Palestinian Authority representatives. A multinational security force would include Palestinians alongside soldiers from Arab and Muslim countries.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Netanyahu on Sunday in New York to address remaining gaps between American and Israeli positions. The two main sticking points involve the mechanisms for disarming Hamas and the role of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza's future governance.
Netanyahu has maintained his opposition to Palestinian Authority involvement in Gaza, calling it a "red line" during a Fox News interview Sunday. Israel also seeks more binding language regarding Hamas disarmament compared to the current proposal.
Trump told Axios that negotiations are "at their final stages" and could pave the way for broader regional peace. "Everybody has come together to get a deal, but we still have to get it done," Trump said. "The Arab countries were fantastic to work with on this. Hamas is coming with them. They have great respect for the Arab world."
Hamas issued a statement Sunday saying it had not received any new proposals from Qatari and Egyptian mediators, emphasizing that negotiations have been suspended since Israel's September 9 airstrike on Hamas targets in Doha, Qatar's capital.
"Hamas reaffirms its readiness to study any proposals it receives from the mediators with full positivity and responsibility, in a manner that preserves the national rights of our people," the group said in its statement.
However, U.S. officials indicated that Qatar and other Arab nations have been briefing Hamas leadership on the ongoing talks, with Arab countries expressing confidence that Hamas would accept the proposal.
The conflict has claimed more than 66,000 Palestinian lives since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry. The proposed agreement would also commit Israel to avoiding future attacks on Qatar and establish a credible pathway toward Palestinian statehood following significant Palestinian Authority reforms.
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