Netanyahu to meet with Trump on heels of defiant Gaza speech at UN | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Netanyahu's UN speech: Defiant stance, opposition to Palestinian state, vow to finish Hamas.
• International reaction: Diplomatic walkout, criticism of Netanyahu's policies.
• Trump's potential deal: Claims of an imminent deal to end the war and release hostages.
• Hamas' demands: Permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli army.
• Sticking points: Disarming of Hamas, Netanyahu's insistence on continuing the war.
• International transitional authority: Proposed authority for Gaza, possibly led by Tony Blair.
• Abraham Accords: Potential impact of the conflict on normalization agreements.
• Trump's leverage: Potential to pressure Netanyahu to end the war due to political consequences for the US.

Netanyahu's UN Address and International Response

• Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a "fiery speech" at the United Nations, reiterating his commitment to "finish the job against Hamas in Gaza."
• He repeated his vow that "there will never be a Palestinian state," drawing a parallel between giving Palestinians a state after October 7th and giving al-Qaeda a state after September 11th, calling it "sheer madness."
• Dozens of diplomats and officials staged a walkout before Netanyahu began his speech, including delegates from several Muslim-majority and Latin American countries, some chanting "Free Palestine."
• The speech was broadcast into Gaza via loudspeakers, which was interpreted as a threat.
• Karim El Gohari noted that Netanyahu's speech "didn't signal an openness to a deal" and was a "very belligerent speech."
• El Gohari also pointed out that Netanyahu's speech at the UN Security Council showed how "incredibly isolated he is," as he spoke in front of empty seats and was criticized by the Israeli opposition.

Trump's Potential Deal and Regional Dynamics

• Donald Trump claimed that a deal is "almost ready" to end the war and bring the hostages home.
• El Gohari expressed skepticism, calling it potentially a "Trump PR show" and noting the lack of details from Israel, Hamas, or mediators like Egypt and Qatar.
• He mentioned a meeting with Arab and Islamic states on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where additional points were requested, but details remain unclear.
• Farwa Jes emphasized that Netanyahu has "lost the world" and that "Donald Trump is the only leader in the world who could end the war."
• Jes argued that Netanyahu is "100% dependent on Donald Trump" and that Trump has "tremendous leverage" due to the political consequences of the war for the United States.

Hamas' Demands and Sticking Points

• Hamas' two main demands for a ceasefire are a "permanent ceasefire" and a "withdrawal of the Israeli army."
• El Gohari mentioned a plan for a "gradual Israeli withdrawal without a timetable," but details are "very unclear."
• Hamas has indicated a willingness to leave the administration of the Gaza Strip if these demands are met.
• Netanyahu's demand for the "disarming of Hamas" remains a major sticking point.

Proposed International Transitional Authority

• There is talk of an "international transitional authority for Gaza," possibly led by Tony Blair.
• El Gohari criticized the potential appointment of Tony Blair, calling him "deeply unpopular in the Arab world" due to his role in the Iraq War.
• He suggested that Blair's involvement could "fuel talk of some Arab states threatening to pull out of the Abraham Accords."

Abraham Accords and Regional Stability

• El Gohari noted that states involved in the Abraham Accords are under public pressure due to the conflict.
• While there is talk of summoning Israeli ambassadors and setting "red lines" regarding annexation of the West Bank, no serious moves have been made to end the Abraham Accords.

Trump's Meeting with Netanyahu and Potential Outcomes

• Jes stated that the key question is whether Trump will have the "political will and the consistency to pressure" Netanyahu to end the war.
• She highlighted Trump's "fickleness" and the possibility that Netanyahu could "outmaneuver" him.
• Jes estimated a "six or seven out of 10" chance that Trump will impress upon Netanyahu the need to end the war.
• Even with a ceasefire, significant challenges remain, including the future of a Palestinian state, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the role of the Palestinian Authority, and the rebuilding of Gaza.

Conclusion

The situation remains highly complex and uncertain. While there are claims of progress towards a deal to end the war in Gaza, significant obstacles remain, including disagreements over Hamas' disarmament, the future of Gaza's governance, and the long-term prospects for a Palestinian state. Netanyahu's isolation on the international stage and Trump's potential leverage create an opportunity for a breakthrough, but Trump's unpredictability and the deep-seated divisions between the parties involved make a lasting resolution far from guaranteed.