WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone on Sunday, expressing hope that a historic peace deal could soon be reached to end the war in Gaza.
Speaking just a day before his scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump said there is “a real chance for greatness in the Middle East” — a chance, he added, that had never happened before.
“All are on board for something special, first time ever. We will get it done,” Trump declared in a Truth Social post as his motorcade made its way to his Virginia golf club.
While Trump offered no specific details, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that top American officials are engaged in “very complicated” negotiations involving both Israeli and Arab leaders.
Vance described himself as “cautiously hopeful.”
“I feel more optimistic about where we are right now than at any point in the last few months. But let’s be realistic—these things can collapse at the very last minute,” he said.
According to Vance, the emerging deal centers on three key goals:
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Returning all hostages
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Eliminating the Hamas threat to Israel
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Expanding humanitarian aid in Gaza
“I think we’re close to accomplishing all three of those objectives,” Vance noted.
The talks follow a 21-point US peace plan unveiled at the United Nations this week. The plan seeks to end the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas, calling for the release of all hostages, an end to Israeli strikes on Qatar, and renewed dialogue between Israel and Palestinians toward “peaceful coexistence.”
But challenges remain. Israel recently angered Qatar after launching an airstrike on Hamas targets in Doha on September 9. Meanwhile, a Hamas representative said on Saturday that the group had not yet seen the US plan.
Still, Trump and his team remain determined. The upcoming White House meeting with Netanyahu could set the stage for a breakthrough — one Trump insists the world is ready for.
