U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday there is “a real chance for greatness in the Middle East,” offering an upbeat assessment of efforts to end the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza but giving no specifics on timing or terms.
“We have a real chance for Greatness in the Middle East. All are on board for something special, first time ever. We will get it done,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, a message amplified by multiple outlets that track his posts. (JNS.org)
The comments came two days after Trump told reporters he believed the parties were “close” to an agreement that would both free Israeli hostages and halt the fighting, though he did not provide details or a timetable. “It’s looking like we have a deal on Gaza,” he said on Friday as he departed the White House. (Reuters)
High-stakes week of diplomacy
Trump’s latest message lands on the eve of a planned White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, part of a renewed U.S. push built around what officials describe as a 21-point framework. The proposal aims to secure a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza under an interim governance arrangement overseen by an internationally backed Palestinian committee. Israeli officials have been cautious in public, and Hamas has said it has not received a formal offer via mediators. (Financial Times)
A senior U.S. official told Axios reporter Barak Ravid that the United States and Israel were “very close” to alignment on Trump’s plan after talks involving special envoy Steve Witkoff, senior adviser Jared Kushner and Netanyahu; Hamas’s assent remains the outstanding hurdle. Reuters reported the comments on Sunday. (Reuters)
Vice President JD Vance has outlined three touchstones for any agreement: returning all hostages, ending the Hamas threat to Israel, and expanding humanitarian aid to Gaza. He has voiced cautious optimism while warning that last-minute snags are possible. (Reuters)
Facts on the ground remain volatile
Despite Washington’s optimism, Israeli operations in Gaza have continued, including intensified ground maneuvers and airstrikes in recent days. Independent reporting on Sunday described ongoing combat and rising civilian tolls even as ceasefire talk gained momentum. (The Guardian)
The diplomatic context has been further complicated by regional flashpoints. Earlier this month, Washington criticized an Israeli strike in Doha targeting Hamas figures, an incident that angered Qatar, a key interlocutor in hostage and ceasefire negotiations. The White House has since tried to steady ties with Gulf partners as it courts Arab backing for any post-war arrangement. (Reuters)
What to watch next
Trump–Netanyahu meeting: Monday’s White House talks are expected to test whether the two leaders can bridge gaps over sequencing — particularly the linkage between hostage releases, a ceasefire, and Gaza’s governance. (Financial Times)
Hamas response: U.S. and Israeli alignment would still require Hamas’s approval through mediators in Qatar and Egypt; as of Sunday, Hamas officials were publicly saying they had not seen the U.S. plan. (Financial Times)
Humanitarian measures: Any deal will be judged partly on immediate improvements to aid access and civilian protections in Gaza, issues the White House has elevated in recent briefings. (Reuters)
For now, Trump’s Sunday post underscores a strategy of public pressure and optimistic signaling ahead of a pivotal round of talks — a familiar tactic in high-wire negotiations that could either usher in a breakthrough or set up another cycle of recriminations if momentum stalls. (Reuters)
