Foreign pool report #3: Press conference

Good afternoon,

US President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered the State Dining Room at 2:24pm. The press briefing was carried live. Mr Trump spoke first for about 30 mins, Mr Netanyahu followed for about 10 minutes. The two leaders did not take any questions.

Here are the top quotes from Mr Netanyahu: “I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our warnings, it will bring back to Israel all our hostages, expand on Hamas' military capabilities, end its political rule and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”

“Hamas will be disarmed. Gaza will be demilitarized. Israel will retain security responsibility, including the security perimeter for the foreseeable future. And lastly, Gaza will have a peaceful civilian administration that is run neither by Hamas nor by the Palestinian Authority.”

“If Hamas agrees to your plan, Mr President, the first step will be a modest withdrawal, followed by the release of all our hostages within 72 hours. The next step will be the establishment of an international body charged with fully disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza.”

On the Israeli team, ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer among other dignitaries were in attendance. On the US team, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Chief of staff Susie Wiles, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Mr Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner were seated in the press briefing room.

Before the press briefing’s start, the White House released a readout of a trilateral call between Mr Netanyahu, Mr Trump and Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to apologize for the strike on Qatar targeting Hamas leadership earlier this month. Please refer to the readout.

One minute later, the White House released a 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, please refer to the document.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Many thanks,

Jihan