Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a significant dilemma as he prepares to meet President Donald Trump on Monday: bow to mounting U.S. pressure for a peace deal or press ahead with his stated goal of militarily defeating Hamas in Gaza. The White House summit is set to be a defining moment in the nearly two-year-long conflict.
The pressure from Washington is clear. President Trump is heavily invested in a 21-point peace plan, which he claims has the backing of key Arab states. The deal offers a way out of the war through a hostage release and the disarmament of Hamas. Trump’s recent public warnings to Netanyahu on other issues suggest he is ready to play hardball to get the deal accepted.
Adding to this is the emotional weight of the hostage crisis. Families of those held captive have publicly urged Trump to stand firm, effectively asking the U.S. President to use his leverage on their behalf. This appeal makes it politically more difficult for Netanyahu to outright reject a deal that could bring the hostages home.
Despite this, Netanyahu has built his political position around a promise of total victory. His vow to “finish the job” and his deep-seated skepticism about the Palestinian Authority’s role in any future Gaza governance reflect a long-held security-first doctrine. He remains deeply reluctant to halt the military offensive.
The outcome of the meeting, as analyst Natan Sachs suggests, will depend on how much pressure Trump is willing to apply. Netanyahu must weigh the benefits of continued U.S. support against his own political and military objectives. His decision will not only shape the future of Gaza but also define the next chapter of the U.S.-Israel relationship.