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As tensions in the Middle East continued to simmer, former President Donald Trump faced the challenging task of ensuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support for a proposed peace plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. The negotiations, which unfolded in late September, involved intense discussions, delicate political maneuvering, and careful consideration of Arab nations’ concerns. Trump, alongside Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, worked tirelessly to navigate the complexities of the agreement and bring multiple parties together for a potential breakthrough in a war that had persisted for nearly two years.
The Initial Challenge: Netanyahu’s Visit to the White House
In the week leading up to the United Nations General Assembly, Netanyahu requested a meeting with Trump at the White House. He later described it publicly as an “invitation,” a characterization that frustrated Trump’s advisers, who viewed it as misleading and potentially undermining the negotiation process. Despite internal disagreements, close associates of Netanyahu believed that as long as Trump was not actively blocking Israel’s military objectives, the optics of the meeting would not significantly affect the outcome of the talks.
Intense Negotiations in New York
On September 25, Witkoff and Kushner conducted the first major negotiation session with Netanyahu in New York. The atmosphere was tense, with the American team prepared to counter anticipated objections from the Israeli prime minister. The discussions extended for several hours, covering both the wording of the proposal and substantive issues related to the governance of Gaza.
Three days later, the negotiations resumed at the Loews Regency Hotel, where both sides engaged in marathon sessions that scrutinized every detail. Netanyahu, expressing skepticism over several elements of the plan, sought modifications to minimize Israel’s commitments and introduce safeguards against potential violations by Hamas.
Points of Contention
Netanyahu’s primary objectives centered on:
- Eliminating explicit references to Palestinian statehood
- Limiting the role of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza
- Adding caveats to the phased Israeli withdrawal to ensure continued military presence in key areas
Trump remained actively involved throughout the process, communicating directly with Netanyahu while coordinating separately with Witkoff and Kushner on strategic approaches to resolve specific disputes. This hands-on involvement underscored Trump’s commitment to securing Israeli approval while balancing the broader objectives of the peace plan.
Achieving Tentative Agreement
By late September 28, sufficient progress had been made to allow a public announcement the following day at the White House. While Netanyahu had secured changes favoring Israel, the final plan retained a reference to a “credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” a point he had long opposed.
Arab nations, however, expressed concern over some of the modifications. Officials feared that Hamas might reject the altered text and advocated for additional revisions before its release. Despite these warnings, Trump decided to move forward, emphasizing the need for transparency and momentum in the peace process.
The Apology to Qatar
A critical condition for the announcement was Netanyahu issuing an apology to Qatar for the missile strike on September 9 in Doha. The strike had targeted Hamas negotiators and their advisors, straining the trust of Qatari mediators who played a key role in ongoing discussions. Qatar made the apology a prerequisite for moving forward with the plan.
Trump reportedly reminded Netanyahu for over a week that the apology was necessary, noting that even world leaders occasionally must acknowledge missteps. On September 29, moments before the public announcement, Netanyahu read a prepared apology to Qatar’s prime minister while seated beside Trump in the Oval Office. A White House photograph captured the tense yet historic moment, showing Netanyahu holding a telephone receiver over Trump’s lap, symbolizing the delicate blend of diplomacy, accountability, and optics required for the announcement.
Significance of the Negotiations
The successful coordination between Trump, Netanyahu, and the American negotiation team highlighted the complexities of Middle East diplomacy. Achieving a plan that balanced Israel’s security concerns, Palestinian governance, and Arab mediators’ expectations required intense negotiation and strategic compromise. The announcement at the White House represented a rare moment of apparent consensus, signaling progress toward ending a conflict that had resulted in extensive casualties and destruction over the previous two years.
While challenges remained in implementing the agreement, the negotiations demonstrated the value of high-level engagement, persistence, and careful management of political and military realities. The combination of intense private discussions, public diplomacy, and acknowledgment of missteps—like the Qatar apology—underscored the multifaceted nature of modern peace efforts in the region.
Conclusion
The weeks of intensive negotiation leading up to the White House announcement reflected the intricate dynamics of Middle East diplomacy. Trump’s active engagement, coupled with Witkoff and Kushner’s negotiation efforts, ensured that Netanyahu’s concerns were addressed while retaining the framework of a peace plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict. The apology to Qatar served as both a diplomatic necessity and a symbol of the high stakes involved. Though the path to lasting peace remained uncertain, the announcement represented a significant step toward potential stability in a region long plagued by conflict.
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