Trump and Netanyahu Prioritise Hostage Crisis Amid Fierce Gaza Campaign
By International Desk | 9 July 2025 | British English Edition
Washington/Tel Aviv/Gaza – In a week of intense diplomacy and deadly violence, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held two high-level meetings at the White House, focusing efforts on securing the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas while overseeing the ongoing military offensive in Gaza. As both leaders attempt to steer the crisis toward a temporary ceasefire, the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to rise sharply, igniting international concern.
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A Two-Pronged Strategy: Hostage Deal and Military Pressure
Second Trump–Netanyahu Meeting Signals Urgency
On 8 July, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu met for the second time in 24 hours at the White House in an unannounced meeting. The behind-closed-doors discussion, lasting approximately one hour, centred around a potential hostage–ceasefire agreement.
The US administration, represented by senior envoy Steve Witkoff, has proposed a 60-day truce in Gaza in exchange for a phased release of Israeli hostages. While no formal agreement has yet been reached, insiders report that talks have narrowed to a single critical issue. Optimism remains that an announcement could follow within days.
"We are closer than we’ve ever been," one US diplomat stated, "but a breakthrough depends on Hamas accepting the last condition."
Key Elements of the Ceasefire Proposal
The proposed deal includes the following:
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A 60-day cessation of hostilities across Gaza.
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The release of 10 living Israeli hostages, with the return of 9 deceased in phased batches.
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A drawdown of Israeli troops to defensive buffer zones.
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Increased humanitarian aid deliveries via UN-supervised corridors.
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Binding guarantees enforced by the United States.
Netanyahu, while open to the plan, insists that any agreement must ultimately lead to the dismantling of Hamas and long-term security assurances for Israeli citizens.
Escalation on the Ground: Gaza Pays the Price
Surge in Israeli Airstrikes
Despite diplomatic advances, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has not slowed. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli forces launched a heavy wave of airstrikes across the enclave. Palestinian health authorities in Gaza reported at least 95 deaths in a single day, including numerous women and children.
According to aid groups, Israeli airstrikes have particularly targeted aid distribution zones in Khan Younis and northern Gaza, areas where thousands of displaced civilians queue daily for basic supplies.
“Children are dying not from bombs alone, but from dehydration, hunger, and neglect,” said a spokesperson for Médecins Sans Frontières.
Humanitarian Conditions Reaching Critical Point
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deteriorated to levels the UN describes as "catastrophic." Over 57,000 Palestinians are believed to have been killed since the war began in October 2023. Roughly two-thirds of these are women and minors, according to international monitors.
Aid delivery remains perilous. Multiple non-governmental organisations—including Save the Children, Amnesty International, and Oxfam—have issued an open letter condemning "deadly aid zones", where civilians are routinely bombed while collecting relief items.
"This is collective punishment under international law," the statement reads. "The world must act to protect aid corridors."
Hostages at the Centre of High-Stakes Diplomacy
Remaining Captives in Gaza
Around 50 Israeli hostages remain captive in Gaza, held by Hamas and its affiliated groups. Israel estimates that at least a third are dead, but families continue to hold out hope.
Trump, who has made the hostage crisis a focal point of his re-election foreign policy narrative, has appointed Witkoff to spearhead talks with Qatari, Egyptian, and even indirect Hamas representatives in Doha.
Witkoff’s proposal includes international observers to verify hostages’ health and ensure humanitarian conduct.
Netanyahu: "Our Moral Compass"
Prime Minister Netanyahu has called the return of hostages Israel’s “moral duty” and “strategic necessity.”
“Freeing our hostages is not just a national priority—it’s a moral compass guiding this war,” Netanyahu said during a press briefing in Washington.
While Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from within Israel—especially from hardliners who oppose any concessions—he appears committed to the American-led plan, as long as Israel retains the right to resume full military action if Hamas breaks the ceasefire.
Israeli Plans for Gaza: Displacement Sparks Alarm
Proposed "Closed Zone" in Rafah
Reports have emerged that the Israeli Defence Ministry is exploring the forced relocation of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to a restricted zone near Rafah, on the Egyptian border. The plan, seen as a temporary humanitarian zone, has drawn widespread condemnation from international legal scholars and human rights groups.
“Mass forced displacement is not a solution—it’s a war crime,” said UN Special Rapporteur Michael Lynk.
The proposed "Morag Corridor", cutting across southern Gaza, would separate northern and southern zones, potentially dividing Gaza permanently.
International Response
European Union leaders, including Germany, France, and Spain, have rejected Israel's plan, calling it "a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law." The Arab League has demanded the plan’s immediate abandonment, while Egypt has refused to allow displaced Palestinians to enter its territory.
Meanwhile, Trump has remained largely silent on the relocation issue, focusing instead on the hostage negotiations.
Rising Global Tensions and Regional Escalation
Broader Middle East Conflict
The conflict is no longer confined to Gaza. Israel has recently escalated air operations in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah strongholds. In response, Hezbollah has launched a new wave of missile attacks into northern Israel, killing at least six civilians this week.
Furthermore, Israel’s recent airstrike on Iran's nuclear sites, widely viewed as retaliatory, has heightened the regional crisis. The Iranian government has vowed to retaliate "at a time of its choosing."
Trump, while supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself, has urged Netanyahu to avoid opening a second front in Lebanon or escalating tensions with Iran.
Domestic Pressure in the US
Back in Washington, the situation has also stoked growing unrest. Thousands of protesters gathered outside the White House this week, waving Palestinian flags and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the arrest of Netanyahu, who is under indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes.
Progressive Democrats have also criticised Trump’s arms sales to Israel and his support for continued military operations.
“We need peace, not another endless war,” said Senator Rashida Tlaib during a floor debate on 8 July.
A Political Gamble: What’s at Stake for Trump and Netanyahu?
Trump’s Diplomatic Moment
For President Trump, the hostage-ceasefire deal offers a rare opportunity to score a significant diplomatic win in a volatile region. With the US presidential election approaching, resolving the Gaza conflict—even temporarily—could help bolster his global leadership credentials.
“What’s happening in Gaza is a tragedy,” Trump stated. “But we can fix it. I’m here to make peace happen.”
The ceasefire plan could also help reduce criticism over American involvement in the war and reframe Trump as a peace broker.
Netanyahu’s Political Balancing Act
Netanyahu, facing rising domestic opposition, ICC scrutiny, and an emboldened far-right coalition, is walking a political tightrope. While he supports the hostage plan, he must also reassure nationalist allies that Hamas will ultimately be defeated.
His nomination of Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize—announced during their first meeting—was widely viewed as both symbolic and strategic.
“No other leader has stood by Israel like Donald Trump,” Netanyahu declared.
Path Forward: Ceasefire or Continued Carnage?
Still No Guarantees
Despite the diplomatic progress, the ceasefire deal remains precarious. Hamas demands a permanent end to hostilities, while Israel insists on the right to resume operations if needed.
The ongoing military campaign also risks derailing talks. Every new airstrike, every civilian death, every aid interruption adds pressure to an already fragile peace process.
Humanitarian Urgency
Should the deal proceed, it could pave the way for:
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Safe delivery of food, water, and medical supplies.
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Establishment of temporary shelters in Rafah.
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Deployment of international aid workers and observers.
If the deal collapses, however, experts warn of an impending full-scale famine and a potential refugee crisis not seen since 1948.
Conclusion: Hope Flickers in the Fog of War
As of 9 July 2025, the Trump-Netanyahu meetings have brought the region to the edge of a possible turning point. The opportunity for a temporary ceasefire and hostage release is closer than ever—but the outcome remains uncertain.
The path forward hinges on two questions:
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Will diplomacy prevail over firepower?
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Can political leaders resist pressure from extremists within their own ranks?
In a conflict scarred by decades of distrust, every hour matters.
The world watches—and waits.