US-Israel Relations: Trump-Netanyahu meeting tomorrow – US wants peace and Israel wants West Bank

US-Israel Relations: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet at the White House on Monday. The two leaders have different agendas for this meeting. While the US wants to work towards a quick end to the Gaza War, Netanyahu is pushing forward with plans to increase Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. Additionally, plans to create a buffer zone in Syria will also be part of the discussion.

Netanyahu's Stance on the West Bank

According to a senior Israeli official, Netanyahu will raise the issue of annexing the West Bank at this meeting. However, Trump has already made it clear that he will not allow Israeli annexation of the West Bank. Despite this, leaders of the Yesha Council, representing Jewish neighborhoods in the West Bank, have also arrived in the US. They say this is an emergency visit, aimed at pressuring Trump to make a decision in Israel's favor.

Gaza War and Hostage Crisis

Netanyahu has expressed a desire to end the Gaza War, but he has not detailed his plan. He says his priority is to bring the hostages home safely and completely eliminate Hamas. More than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, which began on October 7, 2023. Hamas still holds 48 hostages, of whom Israel estimates about 20 are still alive.

Trump claimed on his social media account that negotiations to end the war have been ongoing for the past four days, involving Netanyahu, Hamas, and countries across the region. He expressed hope for a positive peace agreement. However, Hamas has clarified that no formal peace or hostage release proposal from Trump has been accepted.

Trump's 21-Point Peace Plan

• Trump has presented a 21-point peace plan to end the Gaza War. The plan has two key demands:
• Release of all hostages: Hamas must release all hostages within 48 hours.
• Withdrawal of Israeli troops: Israeli forces must gradually withdraw from Gaza.

Buffer Zone Plan in Syria

Netanyahu mentioned a plan to create a weapons-free buffer zone in southern Syria. Its purpose is to secure Israel's border and provide security to the Druze community living there. On Saturday, Netanyahu said, "We are close to bringing our people back from Hamas captivity and defeating our enemies."

Netanyahu's US Visit

Before the meeting, Netanyahu will meet Jewish leaders in the US on Sunday and participate in an event with Trump supporter Mark Levin. This visit is considered important for the strained relations between the two countries and regional stability.