Donald Trump has once again expressed optimism about negotiating a deal that would see the hostages released and a new ceasefire in Gaza.
The US president said his team was close to achieving this goal, as what he called "very inspired and productive discussions" were being held with countries across the region.
Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, says that the US has come up with a new 21-point peace plan for the Middle East and Gaza.
It has not been formally presented, but various media reports have laid out what is said to be its key provisions.
These reportedly go beyond the release of all hostages, large numbers of Palestinian prisoners and an immediate ceasefire, to include what The Times of Israel says would be a pathway to a future Palestinian state.
But that is something Netanyahu strongly rejected in his address to the UN.
It has also been reported that the plan would enable Palestinians to remain in the Gaza Strip, rather than encourage many to leave.
Such provisions - if they are confirmed - are certain to be talking points when Trump meets Netanyahu on Monday. The US leader's optimism may receive a reality check at that meeting.
The Times of Israel - which says it had seen a copy of the US proposal - says that it also includes a commitment for Hamas to disarm, as well as the full demilitarisation of Gaza and the establishment of a process to de-radicalise the population.
It is clear that both Hamas and the Israeli government would have to make greater concessions than they have so far committed themselves to, if the plan as it has been reported so far is to have any chance of success.
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
At least 65,549 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Foreign journalists have been banned from entering Gaza independently since Israel launched its 2023 offensive following the Hamas 7 October attacks.
With the two-year anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel just over a week away, there are many in Israel and Gaza who will be fervently hoping that that they will not have to live through a third year of the war.
[SRC] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87y58jgn5lo
