During a White House dinner, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump reaffirm controversial proposals to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, even as indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hamas continue in Qatar.
Washington [US], July 8: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump met for a private dinner at the White House on Monday, where both leaders reaffirmed their contentious proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza—a move widely denounced by critics as forced transfer or ethnic cleansing, according to Al Jazeera. Their meeting took place as indirect, US-supported ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas unfolded in Qatar, with a proposed 60-day truce under discussion.
In remarks following the meeting, Netanyahu claimed Israel was working closely with the US to identify countries willing to accept Palestinians from Gaza. “We’re getting close to finding several countries,” he said, adding that while people who wanted to remain could stay, “it shouldn’t be a prison… it should be an open place and give people a free choice.”
Trump, who previously sparked controversy for suggesting Gaza could be turned into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” echoed Netanyahu’s sentiments. “So something good will happen,” Trump stated, emphasizing what he called “great cooperation” from neighboring countries, though he did not elaborate.
However, the idea of “voluntary migration” has drawn fierce condemnation from human rights organizations and Palestinian groups, who argue such proposals amount to ethnic cleansing. Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut reported from Amman that this rhetoric has become a recurring theme among Israeli officials, even in the absence of a concrete, actionable plan.
Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas told Al Jazeera that public remarks about relocating Palestinians lacked practical depth. “Just because the Israeli prime minister or the US president blurts something out doesn’t mean there’s a policy in place,” he said. He noted that the rumored involvement of Boston Consulting Group in drafting a relocation plan does not ensure viability, warning it could lead to a “catastrophic outcome” and undermine any post-war stability in Gaza.
The White House dinner occurred as backchannel talks in Doha continued, with negotiators from Israel and Hamas positioned in separate rooms. The draft ceasefire framework reportedly involves a phased release of hostages, Israeli withdrawals from certain areas of Gaza, and longer-term dialogue to end the 21-month-long conflict.
Despite the negotiations, Netanyahu reiterated his rejection of a sovereign Palestinian state, reaffirming that Israel would retain permanent security control over Gaza. In contrast, Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal and the release of Palestinian prisoners in return for Israeli captives.
Trump, meanwhile, claimed a ceasefire deal was imminent, though no formal announcement emerged after the dinner. His special envoy Steve Witkoff, credited with shaping the current proposals, is expected to travel to Qatar to continue the talks later this week.
Netanyahu also presented Trump with a letter nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, reportedly part of an effort to underscore the optics of diplomatic progress. “This is all about appearances,” noted Al Jazeera’s Phil Lavelle from Washington. “Netanyahu wants to project this as a major diplomatic win back home.”
During the meeting, Trump made further headlines by stating that Iran has requested to resume nuclear talks, claiming, “We have scheduled Iran talks… they want to talk. They took a big drubbing.” His administration suggested the talks could begin within a week.
On the same day, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appeared in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, saying he believed that US-Iran differences could be resolved through dialogue.