”We have a real opportunity to achieve something fantastic in the Middle East. Everyone is on board to make something special happen, for the first time ever. We will make it happen”, writes Trump in a post with the usual elements of capital letters and exclamation marks.
What he is referring to is not clear, but it is clear that he will receive Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday.
Uncertainties remain
The two are expected to, among other things, discuss the 21-point plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, which the US has presented to actors in the region during the week. The plan has not been made public, but according to Washington Post, which has accessed a copy through sources, it includes, among other things, demands that Hamas lay down its arms, something that the terrorist-stamped movement has so far refused.
For the first points – the release of all hostages, ceasefire and influx of humanitarian aid – there is a proposal for the order in which this should happen. As for the other points, including an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, there is, however, no specific timeframe for when this should happen.
”Nothing has been determined”
On Saturday, reports emerged that the plan had been approved by Hamas, something that was later denied by the movement, which claimed that it had not seen it. Israel has not yet provided any response either.
Nothing has been determined, it's about broad outlines. There are still things that need to be clarified, says an informant in the region to Washington Post.
