As Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu prepares to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, sources say that Trump intends to push for a definitive plan for managing Gaza once the war against Hamas concludes.
According to a report by Barak Ravid on Channel 12 News, senior officials in the U.S. administration have said that President Trump views a serious discussion on “the day after” as essential for advancing any long-term ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The upcoming meeting is expected to focus heavily on formulating a mutually agreed-upon framework for governing the coastal enclave once Hamas is ousted.
Trump officials want to ensure that Israel and the U.S. are aligned on key issues such as security arrangements, governance, and strategies to prevent Hamas from reestablishing control. The report notes that if a hostage deal and a 60-day ceasefire are reached in the near future, understandings between Trump and Netanyahu on the post-war scenario could serve as the foundation for subsequent negotiations with Hamas.
Initial discussions on the topic have already begun, with Israeli Minister Ron Dermer holding early talks last week with senior White House officials, including special envoy Steve Witkoff.
“We want to reach an agreed-upon framework with Netanyahu regarding what happens in Gaza after the war,” said a senior American official.
One indication of Israeli flexibility is a shift in its stance on the expulsion of Hamas leaders. Israel is now willing to settle for the symbolic removal of a few top military commanders, rather than pushing for the mass exile of Hamas leadership. An Israeli source commented wryly, “There aren’t many senior Hamas officials left in Gaza. You don’t need a ship to exile them—just a surfboard will do.”
Another point on the agenda is the disarmament of Hamas. Israel continues to demand the dismantling of the terrorist group’s military wing but has shown openness to discussing amnesty for those militants who surrender their weapons.
The most sensitive and complex issue remains who will control Gaza on the civilian level. Netanyahu is adamantly opposed to any return of Hamas to power and is equally resistant to the involvement of the Palestinian Authority. Instead, he favors handing over governance to Arab states in collaboration with local Palestinian figures unaffiliated with either Hamas or the PA.
However, Arab nations have so far rejected that approach, insisting that the Palestinian Authority play a central role and demanding a clear political horizon for the Palestinian people. The Trump administration’s precise stance on this matter remains undefined.
{Matzav.com Israel}
