Image source, Getty Images

Donald Trump has promised that he has "something special" planned for the Middle East ahead of his meeting with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House later today.

In a message shared on Truth Social, the US president's post begins by saying:

His message adds: "ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!"

In a separate post on Saturday, Trump hailed "very inspired and productive discussions with the Middle Eastern Community concerning Gaza".

He said that following four days of "intense" negotiations Hamas and Israel have been "informed at all levels", and says there is more "Goodwill and Enthusiasm for getting a deal done... than I have ever seen before".

• A reminder: Netanyahu said on Sunday no deal has been "finalised yet", while Hamas said they had not formally been sent the proposal

Trump's optimism for ending the war is not newpublished at 15:15 BST 29 September

15:15 BST 29 September

Tom Bateman
US State Department correspondent

Image source, Reuters

Trump is - not for the first time - talking up the prospects of an imminent end to the war.

But the 21-point plan, drawn up by his envoy Steve Witkoff, is in fact a framework whose details would still have to be thrashed out.

It pulls together ideas from earlier security and governance proposals for a post-war Gaza, including from Arab and European nations, and from former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair.

Israel objects to provisions for eventual Palestinian self governance while Hamas - which calls parts of the plan a diversion from Israel’s escalating assault on Gaza City – will argue over calls for its disarmament.

Trump’s optimism is not new, but there is an air of progress among Arab countries.

The Israeli leader remains subject to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

Tom Bennett
Reporting from Jerusalem

Image source, Reuters

As we just mentioned, the US president is expected to push a new peace plan to end the Israel-Gaza war during White House talks with Benjamin Netanyahu later today.

But Netanyahu said on Sunday no deal has been "finalised yet", while Hamas said they had not formally been sent the proposal.

According to leaked copies of the plan published by US, external and Israeli, external media, it stipulates the release of all hostages within 48 hours of the deal being confirmed. Once they are returned, Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences.

Hamas members who commit to peace will be offered amnesty and safe passage out of Gaza - and the group will have no future role in the territory. All Hamas military structures will be destroyed.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will gradually withdraw from the Strip and Gaza will be governed by an interim transitional government.

The plan appears to constitute a significant shift of position by the Trump administration, which has previously advocated relocating Gaza's entire population of 2.1 million and redeveloping Gaza into a US-owned "riviera".

The latest proposal encourages Palestinians to remain in Gaza.

It also acknowledges Palestinian aspirations for a future state, and includes a future role in the territory for the Palestinian Authority (PA) once it has undertaken reforms.

Image source, Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House later today.

The meeting comes after Netanyahu's address to the UN on Friday, during which he said the recognition of a Palestinian state by multiple Western countries was a "mark of shame" that sent the message that "murdering Jews pays off".

Dozens of officials and diplomats staged a walk-out as Netanyahu took to the podium, leaving large parts of the conference hall empty

Today's visit to the White House will be Netanyahu's fourth this year, as Israel finds itself facing increasing pressure to end the war in Gaza.

Trump has made his stance clear, saying on Friday that that he "will not allow" Netanyahu to annex the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but that a ceasefire deal over the war in Gaza was "pretty close".

We'll bring you the latest developments and analysis right here on this page - stay with us.