A senior political source, who spoke with leading American media hosts and editors, confirmed on Saturday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to raise the issue of sovereignty in the West Bank with US President Donald Trump, despite Trump’s stated opposition to the move.
Earlier this week, Trump declared, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.”
At the same time, heads of the Yesha Council are traveling to the United States for what they described as an “emergency delegation” on the sovereignty issue, aiming to influence policy before Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with Trump at the White House on Monday.
The source also attempted to outline Netanyahu’s formula for ending the war, but beyond the slogan “Hostages home, Hamas out,” no detailed plan was presented. There was, however, a reference to Syria, confirming a Reuters report from Friday regarding ongoing negotiations and proposed security arrangements.
These arrangements would demilitarize southern Syria to create a buffer zone along Israel’s northeastern border. One of the key objectives of the plan is to provide maximum protection for the Druze population in Syria.
During a Shabbat gathering at his hotel with members of the Israeli delegation, footage of which was obtained by Walla, Netanyahu said, “There is more work to do, but we are nearing the end, both to bring home our hostages and to defeat our enemies.” Regarding future plans, he added, “We make peace with our neighbors while the sword is in our hand. That is what we are doing now, and this will continue next week in Washington and then in Israel. This stage of the war, for justice and truth, is a very important stage.”
Netanyahu also thanked the Israeli representatives for their efforts and addressed criticism of his wife Sara’s involvement in decision-making, joking, “She writes all the speeches, she decides everything, when we attack, everything. It’s recorded; there, I said it.”
Trump hints at positive hostage deal negotiations
Trump is pressing to bring the war to an end, writing on his Truth Social account, “There have already been four days of intensive talks. Netanyahu is in the picture, Hamas is involved, and all the countries in the region are engaged. There is unprecedented enthusiasm to reach peace.” Netanyahu, however, offered no further comment except to say that he “will speak with Trump about everything at their meeting.”
Notably, Hamas officials told Reuters on Saturday that the terror group had not been presented with Trump's proposal for a hostage deal and ceasefire.
Before that meeting, on Sunday, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Jewish leaders and appear alongside conservative commentator and Trump ally Mark Levin at an event hosted by the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS).