Trump pushes Gaza deal amid escalating conflict, hostage uncertainty

White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 28, 2025
Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump hopes to finalize a Gaza peace plan proposal in a meeting on Monday with Israel's Prime Minister, Trump told Reuters on Sunday, as Israeli tanks pushed deeper into Gaza City and the military wing of Hamas said it had lost contact with two hostages held there.

The fate of the two hostages, which has strong domestic resonance in Israel, could cast a shadow over a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump.

Trump says he’s gotten a “very good response” from both Israel and Arab leaders toward his proposal, saying “everybody wants to make a deal.” Yet Hamas denied having been presented with any proposal from Trump or mediators. 

His proposed 21-point peace plan seeks the return of all hostages, living or dead, a cessation of Israeli strikes on Qatar, and a revived Israeli-Palestinian dialogue over coexistence. 

Meanwhile, Israel’s assault on Gaza City has intensified. Entire districts have been flattened, and hundreds of thousands of civilians were ordered to flee into tented camps. Netanyahu says the operation is aimed at dismantling Hamas’ capabilities. 

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