The visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United States and his planned meeting today with US President Donald Trump are the leading topic in the Western press, BTA writes.
"Last attempt for peace in Gaza - Netanyahu meets Trump", the British newspaper "The Times" headlines. The Israeli Prime Minister expressed his hope for peace, which could mean the release of all hostages from the Palestinian Islamist movement "Hamas", the publication writes.
Netanyahu is ready to offer immunity to "Hamas" as part of a "peace plan" for Gaza, another British newspaper - "Daily Telegraph" notes. The Israeli leader appears to support the American proposal, which includes this immunity in exchange for the release of the hostages, the daily newspaper reports.
Israel continues its offensive in the Gaza Strip after Donald Trump again said he was close to a breakthrough in ceasefire talks in the devastated territory, the British newspaper "Guardian" writes. Witnesses and medics say Israeli tanks are advancing through the central and western neighborhoods of Gaza City towards the densely populated coastal areas, where hundreds of thousands of people have found temporary refuge.
Israeli forces have launched a ground offensive in the northern Gaza Strip after weeks of intense strikes on Gaza City, the British daily reports. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have complied with repeated Israeli orders to evacuate, but many others cannot do so because they are sick, disabled, infirm or unable to afford expensive transport to safer areas, the Guardian notes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is expected to meet Trump today, told Fox News on Wednesday that Israel was working with the White House on a new ceasefire plan. "We are working on it. It is not yet finalized, but we are working with President Trump's team as we speak to you. I hope it will work out," Netanyahu said.
"Guardian" draws attention to Trump's statement on this issue yesterday on his platform "Truth Social": "We have a real chance for something great in the Middle East, everyone is on the line for something special, for the first time in history. We will do it!!!". The American president promised at the beginning of his second term to quickly end the war, but eight months later there is still no solution.
In his speech at the UN on Friday, Netanyahu promised to "finish the job" with regard to "Hamas" - days after Britain, France and other Western powers recognised a Palestinian state, the Guardian reports.
Trump has proposed a 21-point draft agreement for an immediate ceasefire, which would see the release of all hostages within 48 hours, the disarmament of Hamas, the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails by Israel and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, the Guardian reports, noting that this information comes from US and Israeli media.
A Hamas official said that the Palestinian movement has been informed of the plan, but has not yet received an official proposal from Egyptian and Qatari mediators, the Guardian adds.
Trump's peace plan for Gaza preserves the chances of a Palestinian state, writes the American newspaper "Washington Post".
Benjamin Netanyahu is expected at the White House today, with Donald Trump promising "something special" in the peace talks, writes the French newspaper "Le Monde" in the headline.
Trump will meet with Netanyahu in the US to discuss a peace agreement for Gaza, notes the Spanish newspaper "Pais" in turn. The Israeli prime minister wants to guarantee US support amid the recognition of a Palestinian state by some European countries, the publication states.