Israel Plans Gaza Hostage Deal During Trump's Visit

Senior Israeli officials have identified a 'window of opportunity' to reach a Gaza hostage deal coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming Middle East visit. Should negotiations fail, Israel is prepared to launch 'Operation Gideon Chariots,' an expanded military campaign in Gaza aimed at displacing large numbers of Palestinians and pressuring Hamas. The Israeli security cabinet has unanimously approved this plan, which is also linked to proposals for delivering humanitarian aid without Hamas involvement—though these proposals have faced criticism from aid groups. Israel is seeking to leverage Trump's regional presence and the support of Gulf countries to push Hamas toward accepting a deal, while ongoing U.S.-Israel coordination continues on both military and diplomatic fronts. The proposed agreement would involve an initial release of several hostages, followed by negotiations over broader terms, including the potential end of the war. While Trump is not currently scheduled to visit Israel, his influence is seen as a key factor in the timing and strategy of Israeli actions.