”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. 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.
Uncertainties remain
In an interview with Fox News on Sunday evening Swedish time, Netanyahu announces that Israel is now reviewing the points.
We are working on it. It has not been finalized yet, but we are working together with President Trump's team at this moment and we hope to be able to give a thumbs up, he says.
The plan has not been made public. But according to Washington Post, which has accessed a draft 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 return of all hostages, ceasefire and influx of humanitarian aid – there is a proposal for in what order this should happen. As for 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 provided any statement 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.
