From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Trump said hoping to finalize framework for ending Gaza war in Monday’s meeting with Netanyahu
Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
US President Donald Trump hopes to finalize a framework for ending the war in Gaza during his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House tomorrow, reports Channel 12, citing senior US officials.
One of the central issues that the leaders will discuss is the “day after” plan for Gaza, the report says. This issue will also be the main focus of diplomatic talks during the US-backed 60-day truce that Hamas and Israel are currently negotiating in Doha.
The plans for the future of Gaza are still unclear, the report says, as Netanyahu has continued to insist that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority can be allowed to play a role in its post-war governance. Instead, he hopes that other countries in the region will take over control of the Strip, along with local Palestinian elements unaffiliated with both Hamas and the PA.
Arab nations have spoken out against this idea, saying they would not get involved unless the PA is allowed to play a role.
Channel 12 says that Trump’s stance on the issue of post-war governance in Gaza remains to be seen.
At the same time, Israel is willing to be more flexible in its demand that Hamas leaders are exiled from the Gaza Strip as part of any permanent end to the war, Channel 12 says, as “there aren’t many senior Hamas officials left in Gaza.”
The network quotes an Israeli official as saying that the Hamas leaders left in Gaza “wouldn’t fill a ship to be exiled—even a paddleboard would do.”
According to US sources, the Trump administration is interested in issuing a joint public declaration with Netanyahu “that will obligate both sides” to whatever agreement arises. “It could be that after the declaration, a few days will be needed to finalize details, but the goal is to establish commitment and obligation to the process,” the sources are quoted as saying.
Following last night’s meeting, unnamed Israeli cabinet ministers told Channel 12 that “Netanyahu is interested in reaching a deal, despite the obstacles that still exist.”
The Times of Israel Community.