Trump says Gaza peace deal "very close" after Netanyahu meeting

President Trump said a deal to end the war in Gaza was "very close" during a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.The big picture: Trump had hoped to announce a final agreement on Monday. He said Netanyahu had agreed to the plan but it still needed the approval of Hamas. "If Hamas rejects the deal, Bibi you will have our full backing to do what you have to do," Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.Behind the scenes: Both Israel and Arab countries have been seeking changes to the text over the last several days, with issues like the demilitarization of Hamas and the involvement of the Palestinian Authority in the future governance of Gaza as sticking points.An updated peace plan released by the White House on Monday mentions a technocratic government made up of Palestinians, to be supervised by a "board of peace" led by Trump and including former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair.Longer-term, the plan envisions the Palestinian Authority taking control of Gaza and leaves open the possibility of a Palestinian state. Trump noted during the press conference that Netanyahu had been "clear about his opposition to a Palestinian state."More details from the outline the White House released during Trump and Netanyahu's meeting:It calls on the war to end and Israeli forces to withdraw "to the agreed upon line," with the remaining hostages then released within 72 hours. Israel would also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in its custody."Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty" and be allowed to leave Gaza if they wish, according to the statement. Hamas would have no role in governing the enclave.There would be a "process of demilitarization" in Gaza and the U.S would "work with Arab and international partners" to develop a temporary international security force, per the outline.Aid into Gaza will be significantly increased, including through the UN. The White House outline also mentions a "Trump economic development plan" for Gaza.How it happened: Trump told Axios on Sunday that the Arab states were behind his plan and "Hamas is coming with them." He also said Netanyahu was on board, though the Israeli PM's public comments had been far less definitive.Israeli officials told Axios the gaps between the U.S. and Israel narrowed significantly during a lengthy meeting on Sunday between Netanyahu, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.Netanyahu called Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday during his meeting with Trump and apologized for violating Qatari sovereignty in Israel's recent strike on Doha, a source familiar told Axios.An Israeli apology over the strike was a key Qatari condition for resuming its mediation with Hamas. Trump held a call with the emir of Qatar before Netanyahu's arrival at the White House.What they're saying: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a briefing with reporters earlier on Monday: "The president knows and believes that his plan to end the war is the best one the parties will get. Both sides will come out somewhat unhappy. The president believes in his plan and wants the war to end."Behind the scenes: Many in the White House have seen Netanyahu up to now as the biggest barrier to peace in Gaza. "Everyone — and I mean everyone — is exasperated with Bibi," one Trump adviser told Axios, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.U.S. officials said Trump was prepared to publicly break with Netanyahu over Gaza if he wouldn't endorse the plan.Go deeper: More details on what's in the plan

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