The culmination of weeks of diplomacy in September saw former President Donald Trump navigating the delicate task of securing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support for a plan to end the two-year conflict in Gaza. With Arab nations, Hamas, and Israel involved, the negotiations required careful balancing of political, military, and humanitarian concerns. Central to the effort were Trump’s advisers, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who engaged in marathon meetings with Netanyahu to resolve objections and finalize a framework for a peace announcement at the White House.
Early Challenges and Tensions
The week preceding the United Nations General Assembly in New York proved critical. Netanyahu requested a meeting at the White House, which he later publicly described as an “invitation.” The statement drew irritation from Trump’s advisers, who viewed it as a mischaracterization of the ongoing diplomatic process. Despite internal tensions, close associates of Netanyahu believed that as long as U.S. officials did not attempt to block Israel’s military objectives, the optics of the meeting would not derail the talks.
Intensive Negotiations in New York
On September 25, Witkoff and Kushner met with Netanyahu in New York to discuss the details of the proposed Gaza peace plan. Armed with Trump’s backing, the American team was prepared to resist potential pushback from the Israeli prime minister. Discussions extended for hours, delving into the minutiae of the plan—from specific language choices to substantive elements concerning governance in Gaza.
A follow-up meeting on September 28 at the Loews Regency hotel intensified the negotiation process. Here, delegates debated every aspect of the agreement, carefully examining the wording that could impact Israel’s commitments. Netanyahu expressed skepticism toward several proposals, repeatedly advocating for modifications that could protect Israel’s interests and introduce flexibility should Hamas fail to comply fully.
Key Points of Contention
Among Netanyahu’s main objectives were:
- Removing explicit references to Palestinian statehood
- Restricting the Palestinian Authority from governing any part of Gaza
- Adding caveats to Israel’s phased withdrawal to maintain control in critical areas
Throughout the day, Trump maintained direct communication with Netanyahu, while also conferring separately with Witkoff and Kushner to strategize responses to Israeli demands. These calls underscored the personal involvement of the former president in ensuring the plan could be publicly endorsed by both parties.
By late September 28, sufficient agreements had been reached to allow the U.S. and Israel to prepare a public announcement for the following day at the White House. Though Netanyahu secured several textual adjustments favoring Israel, the plan still included a general reference to “a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” a point of ongoing contention for the Israeli leader.
Arab Nations’ Concerns
The textual changes negotiated by Netanyahu drew frustration from Arab nations. Some officials expressed apprehension that Hamas might reject the modified plan, advocating for additional adjustments before it was publicly released. Despite these warnings, Trump proceeded with making the proposal public, demonstrating his priority for immediate transparency and momentum in the peace process.
A Required Apology
A significant diplomatic step involved Netanyahu issuing a formal apology to Qatar for the September 9 missile strike in Doha. Qatar had insisted that the apology was a prerequisite for the plan’s announcement, viewing the strike as a major breach of trust during sensitive mediation efforts.
For more than a week, Trump repeatedly reminded Netanyahu that issuing an apology was necessary, emphasizing that even world leaders sometimes must acknowledge missteps. On September 29, moments before the White House announcement, Netanyahu read a carefully prepared apology to Qatar’s prime minister while seated next to Trump in the Oval Office. Photographs released by the White House captured Netanyahu holding the telephone receiver over Trump’s lap, symbolizing the delicate blend of diplomacy, accountability, and public optics involved in the peace effort.
Significance of the Agreement
The successful coordination between Trump, Netanyahu, and the American negotiation team represented a critical step in advancing a cease-fire and broader framework for Gaza. It reflected the complexities inherent in Middle East diplomacy: balancing Israel’s security concerns, Palestinian aspirations, and the expectations of Arab mediators while managing domestic political considerations in all involved countries.
The public announcement at the White House highlighted the collaborative effort and symbolized a rare moment of apparent consensus among historically adversarial parties. It also showcased the importance of persistent, high-level engagement, and the need for clear messaging in international negotiations.
Conclusion
The week-long negotiation and the subsequent public unveiling of the Gaza peace plan illustrated the multifaceted challenges of diplomacy in the Middle East. From protracted meetings and textual disputes to a required apology that emphasized accountability, the process underscored the intricate interplay of politics, strategy, and international relations. While questions remained about the implementation of the agreement, the announcement marked a notable step toward the possibility of ending the protracted conflict in Gaza.
