US Gaza Plan: Trump declares ‘all are on board,’ signals optimism ahead of fateful meeting with PM Netanyahu

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday signaled great optimism over the chance of success of his plan to end the war in Gaza, ahead of a meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that is set for Monday.

The Trump administration's 21-point plan was revealed this weekend, after the U.S. president and special envoy Steve Witkoff presented the proposal last week during a meeting with eight Arab and Muslim leaders.

“We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL,” Trump wrote in a post on the Truth Social platform.

In another post, he wrote: “FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!”

However, it is currently unknown to what extent Israel has been informed about the details of the plan and whether Netanyahu will agree to it.

On Sunday, Israel’s Kan News cited a source close to Netanyahu who said that “significant gaps” remain regarding the conditions Israel wants to see met before ending the war in the Gaza Strip.

The prime minister reportedly canceled his participation in a conference on Sunday amid intense discussions with his team to prepare for the Monday meeting with Trump, his office said, confirming prior reports.

Meanwhile, Hamas said in an official statement that it has still not received a new proposal for a ceasefire and claimed that negotiations remain suspended due to Israel’s strike in Qatar earlier this month.

Trump said on Friday that “all of the countries within the region are involved, Hamas is very much aware of these discussions, and Israel has been informed at all levels, including Bibi Netanyahu.”

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, the prime minister revealed for the first time that he would grant Hamas leaders free passage out of Gaza if all Israeli hostages were released.

“If Hamas leaders finish the war, release all the hostages, we let them out,” Netanyahu said. “That is something that I’ve said in the past, but it has to be worked out. All of that, I think, is part of the plan. I’m not going to preempt it, because we’re having these discussions exactly right now.”

He also reiterated his opposition to allowing the Palestinian Authority (PA) to rule the Gaza Strip as part of an agreement.

“I haven’t changed my positions, and I think that the credibility or the likelihood of the things – a reformed Palestinian Authority that changes completely its stripes… Some people will believe it happens. I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

The United States and Israel are continuing to discuss the plan, Netanyahu affirmed. “It’s not been finalized yet, but we’re working with President Trump’s team, actually, as we speak.”

“I hope we can make it a go, because we want to free our hostages, we want to get rid of Hamas rule, and have them disarmed, Gaza demilitarized, and a new future set up for Gazans and Israelis alike, and for the whole region,” the prime minister added.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance also addressed the 21-point plan, saying the administration was now “at the one-yard line” and optimistic about chances to “punch it through the end zone.”

“There’s a very complicated negotiation happening right now between Arab leaders, between the Israelis and between the Trump administration led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio,” Vance told Fox News.

“The President’s optimism is warranted here. I feel more optimistic about where we are right now than where we have been at any point in the last few months,” he added.

“But let’s be realistic, these things can get derailed at the very last minute. So while I remain very hopeful, I am cautiously hopeful.”

Trump “wants Gaza to be controlled by the people who live there. He wants the West Bank to be controlled by the people who live there, and he wants the terrorist networks that are around the Israelis to be dismantled so they can no longer pose a threat to Israel,” Vance emphasized.