Trump Close to Forging a Deal to End Gaza War, Free Hostages

US President Donald Trump has stated that he is 'very close' to securing an agreement that would end the war in Gaza, bring hostages home, and ensure peace in the region. The president's remarks were made amidst a series of high-level meetings with Arab and Muslim leaders, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Background and Context

The conflict in Gaza, between Israel and Hamas, has been ongoing for years, with periodic escalations causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The issue of hostages held within Gaza remains a key point of contention in the conflict. Trump, however, has now expressed optimism about the prospects for peace, stating, I think it's a deal that gets the hostages back, it’s going to be a deal that ends the war.

The 21-Point Peace Plan

Earlier this week, Trump, along with senior US officials, presented a comprehensive 21-point peace plan to Arab and Islamic leaders. According to the Times of Israel, the proposal envisions hostages being released in the first 48 hours, grants amnesty for peace-committing Hamas members, encourages Gazans to remain, and sees the US establish Israeli-Palestinian dialogue.

This plan, as reported by the Middle East Eye, also proposes a permanent end to Israel's war in Gaza, deploying an international force to the strip with no forced displacement of Palestinians. However, the specifics of the timeline and process remain unclear.

Reactions and Challenges

Despite the president's optimism, challenges persist. The Israeli Prime Minister has pledged to finish the job of eliminating Hamas in the Gaza strip. On the other side, Hamas has rejected Trump's accusation of blocking ceasefire efforts in Gaza. The success of the proposed plan, therefore, hinges on how much Trump is willing to push Netanyahu and how the Hamas responds.

The president's proposal has also come under scrutiny for abandoning the 'Gaza Riviera' plan, according to a Financial Times report cited by the Middle East Eye. Despite these obstacles, participating countries have issued a position paper welcoming the proposal, while stressing their opposition to any Israeli occupation of Gaza, displacement of Palestinians, or annexation of the West Bank.

Conclusion and Current Status

President Trump has vowed for 'intense' talks to continue until a deal is reached to free the hostages and end the Gaza war. Despite the hurdles, Trump remains optimistic and has stated that he has seen more goodwill and enthusiasm for getting a deal done… than I’ve ever seen before.

The next key development is the expected delivery of a letter from Hamas to President Trump, asking for a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the immediate release of half of the hostages, according to Fox News. The world now watches closely as the negotiations unfold, with the hope of an imminent end to the Gaza war and the return of peace to the region.