US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that President Donald Trump wants to move toward ending the Gaza war.
This comes as Netanyahu is set to meet with Trump on Monday.
The message was reportedly delivered during a meeting in New York on Thursday, and the envoys were quoted as saying, “Mr. President thinks it is time to push to end the war. Bibi, it’s time,” according to KAN News.
The envoys arrived to discuss changes Netanyahu sought in a new plan to end the war, according to KAN News’ report. Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer expressed firm objections to several clauses during calls with Trump’s associates, the report said.
Their goal was to reach a broad understanding before the planned Netanyahu-Trump meeting on Monday, Kan News reported. An Israeli official told the outlet there is a “very low” likelihood that fighting would resume after a ceasefire.
Netanyahu’s office was cited as saying any framework must include the total dismantling of Hamas, and that Israel would not compromise on this point.
According to the report, the plan under discussion includes a rapid release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Additional elements reportedly include the end of Hamas rule, demilitarization of Gaza with possible amnesty for senior Hamas members who leave the Gaza Strip, deployment of an Arab security force, limited Palestinian Authority involvement in civil governance, a United States guarantee that Israel will not annex West Bank territory, and a joint reconstruction fund with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
Trump's West Bank comments
Politico reported on Thursday that during meetings with Arab leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Trump said he would not allow Netanyahu to annex West Bank territory, with sources describing him as adamant on the issue.
The reported meeting included leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Turkey, and sources said Trump’s team presented a document outlining the administration’s plan, including postwar governance and security arrangements.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said he told US officials that Netanyahu “has a safety net from me for a hostage deal and an end to the war.”
He added that Netanyahu “has a majority in the Knesset and a majority in the country,” he further said, adding that “there’s no need to get excited about the empty threats from [right-wing ministers Itamar] Ben-Gvir and [Bezalel] Smotrich.”