Israel at a crossroads as Netanyahu prepares to meet Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Washington for his third meeting this year with U.S. President Donald Trump. On the agenda: a possible ceasefire in Gaza, rising pressure from both allies and critics, and the fate of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.

Speaking on Tuesday, President Trump made his stance clear. “We’re looking for it to happen next week,” he said, referring to a long-awaited ceasefire deal.

Though recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have drawn attention, Gaza remains central to discussions. “We want to get the hostages back,” Trump emphasized.

Netanyahu faces a tough decision: end the conflict diplomatically or ramp up military operations in a war that has killed more than 56,000 Palestinians. According to an Israeli official, Netanyahu held two high-level meetings on Gaza this week and plans a third.

A source familiar with the talks told CNN the government hasn’t reached a final decision. The key debate lies between agreeing to a ceasefire or continuing the military campaign in the densely populated enclave.

The Israeli military has reportedly advised a shift toward diplomacy. After 20 months of intense conflict, Hamas' leadership has been severely weakened. “It’s harder now to achieve tactical goals,” a military official said. Hamas fighters are increasingly difficult to target as they go underground.

Still, not everyone in Netanyahu’s government supports a ceasefire.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party rejected compromise. “No agreements. No partners. No mediators. Only a clear outcome: the destruction of Hamas and the return of the hostages from a position of strength,” he declared Monday.

Others argue the hostages should take priority. “Everything must be done to bring everyone back—the living and the fallen,” said Minister of Welfare Ya’akov Margi. He added that negotiations should be considered “out of strength.”

So far, the war has pushed over two million Palestinians into a shrinking zone near Gaza’s coast. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) now controls around 60% of the territory. Despite this, negotiations have stalled. Hamas demands a permanent end to the conflict. Israel refuses.

Retired Major General Israel Ziv warned that Netanyahu is at a “crossroads.” “The IDF has reached the limit of what you can achieve with power,” he said.

Ziv outlined two paths forward: push for a regional deal that could improve ties with Lebanon and Syria, or continue the war. The first may secure the release of the remaining hostages, but could fracture Netanyahu’s fragile coalition.

Over the weekend, Netanyahu hinted at flexibility. He said recent military gains might “rescue the hostages” and “solve the Gaza issue.”

That shift could align with a new ceasefire proposal from Qatar, submitted Tuesday to both Hamas and Israel. According to sources, the deal offers a 60-day pause in fighting and includes a hostage-prisoner exchange. It follows months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Though the White House has not confirmed details, an official reiterated the president’s position: “President Trump and the administration remain committed to ending the war in Gaza and returning all of the hostages.”

The road to peace remains uncertain. Hamas still demands a permanent end to the war and insists on maintaining power in Gaza. Israel remains firmly opposed to both.

Yet signs of compromise are emerging. A source revealed Hamas may show “some leniency” on its hardline stance.

Last week, Israeli officials contacted private security groups about guarding humanitarian zones in Gaza. The timing suggests Israel may be preparing for a potential ceasefire environment.

As Netanyahu prepares to meet Trump on Monday, all eyes are on Washington. Will the prime minister choose diplomacy, or continue down the road of war?

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