Netanyahu Nominates Trump For Nobel Peace Prize During High-Stakes Gaza Talks

When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House for dinner on Monday, he brought more than just diplomatic intentions — he came bearing what has become the ultimate gesture of praise for President Donald Trump: a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The award has long been a personal obsession for Trump, who believes his global peace efforts — especially in the Middle East — are worthy of the honor. Chief among them is his push to end the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

That goal hinges in part on Netanyahu’s willingness to accept a ceasefire agreement — something Trump was expected to press him on over their dinner in the White House’s Blue Room.

Before they even sat down to eat, Netanyahu lavished praise on Trump’s peace-making credentials.

“He’s forging peace, as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other,” Netanyahu said, presenting the letter of nomination across the table. “So, I want to give you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee — nominating you for the Peace Prize. It’s well deserved, and you should get it.”

Clearly moved, Trump replied, “Thank you very much. This I didn’t know. Wow. Coming from you, in particular, this is very meaningful. Thank you very much, Bibi.”

For Trump, helping broker an end to the war in Gaza isn’t just about peace — it’s about legacy. “I’m stopping wars. I hate to see people killed,” he said as the dinner began.

Still, Trump’s path to peace runs through two notoriously difficult players: Hamas and Netanyahu. Both have previously rejected key elements of any deal — particularly whether a ceasefire would fully end the war.

While Trump has embraced Netanyahu as a close ally — inviting him for dinner, supporting Israel’s actions in Iran, and even calling for Netanyahu’s corruption charges to be dropped — he’s also pressuring him to deliver a clear outcome: end the war.

“We had a great time,” Trump said of the recent joint military action targeting Iranian nuclear sites. “It was a lot of work, but we had a great result. And we’re going to have more.”

After months of stalled negotiations, there are signs of real progress. Netanyahu’s visit comes at a crucial moment, as negotiators from Israel and Hamas meet in Qatar to finalize a proposed 60-day ceasefire that includes a phased release of hostages and the flow of aid into Gaza. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to join the talks this week — a clear signal that momentum is building.

Qatar’s proposal, submitted last week, was swiftly accepted by Israel. While Hamas responded positively, they also requested modifications. Israel deemed the changes “unacceptable” but still agreed to send a team to engage in proximity talks — a key step toward a final agreement.

“They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire,” Trump said of the talks.

While past ceasefire efforts have collapsed due to deep disagreements, recent events — particularly Israel’s military campaign against Iran — appear to have shifted the regional dynamics.

“Both Netanyahu and Trump come into this meeting bolstered by their military successes,” said Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. “This gives both leaders space to show flexibility — and clearly, President Trump wants a deal.”

Trump hinted a deal could come within days. “I think there’s a good chance we’ll have a deal with Hamas this week, including the release of several hostages,” he said Sunday in New Jersey before returning to Washington.

Beyond Gaza, Trump is eyeing a much larger goal: expanding the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made it clear — normalization with Israel won’t happen while the Gaza war rages. That makes a ceasefire essential to Trump’s ambitions.

Netanyahu also expressed hope for broader peace. “With President Trump’s leadership, I believe we can achieve a very wide peace that includes all our neighbors,” he said.

Another major question is what comes after the war in Gaza. Israel insists Hamas cannot govern the territory, but there’s no clear alternative. The role of the Palestinian Authority — or even Gulf nations — in Gaza’s reconstruction remains uncertain.

One controversial option, floated by Trump earlier this year, involves relocating Gaza’s residents and transforming the coastal strip into a luxury zone — “a Riviera of the Middle East.” The idea caused outrage when he first mentioned it in February during Netanyahu’s White House visit and has since faded from public discussions.

Asked on Monday whether that plan was still alive, Trump deferred to Netanyahu.

“I think President Trump had a brilliant vision,” Netanyahu replied. “It’s called free choice. If people want to stay, they can stay. If they want to leave, they should be able to. Gaza shouldn’t be a prison.”

Whether Trump gets his Nobel or not, the next few days could determine whether his Middle East ambitions — and Netanyahu’s cooperation — result in a real and lasting peace.