President Donald Trump said Sept. 26 that negotiations to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of hostages are “very close.”
“It's looking like we have a deal on Gaza, and we'll let you know. I think it's a deal that will get the hostages back. It's going to be a deal that will end the war," Trump told reporters before departing the White House. “It’s going to be peace. I think we have a deal.”
The goal is always peace. pic.twitter.com/wTFwln1xHd
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 26, 2025
The President’s remarks came a day after he vowed he would not let Israel annex the West Bank.
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope. I won’t allow it,” Trump said to reporters in the Oval Office. “It’s not going to happen.”
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump puts his foot down and says Israel is BANNED from annexing the West Bank.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 25, 2025
"There has been ENOUGH. It's time to STOP."
"I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope. I won't allow it. It's not going to happen."pic.twitter.com/9hRb5leAs7
He said he had spoken directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but added, “Whether I spoke to him or not — I did — I’m not allowing Israel to annex the West Bank. There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the White House Sept. 29 to meet with Trump, the Times of Israel reported Sept. 16.
Meanwhile, speaking at a United Nations General Assembly session Sept. 26, Netanyahu warned Hamas: “Free the hostages now. If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.” He said Israeli intelligence broadcast his address to every cellphone in Gaza.
Earlier this week, Trump unveiled a 21-point plan to end the war while meeting with Arab leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, according to Axios.
The plan reportedly includes calls for the release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a post-war administration to govern Gaza without Hamas. It also outlines an international security force including Arab and Muslim countries, reconstruction funding from regional states, and a role for the Palestinian Authority, Axios reported.
Officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan attended the meeting.
According to the outlet, Arab leaders conditioned any agreement on no Israeli annexation of the West Bank or Gaza, no Israeli occupation or settlements in Gaza, protection of the Al-Aqsa Mosque status quo, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.