President Trump gave Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a warm greeting at the White House on Monday as the two try to hammer out a plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as governing the enclave after Israel’s military offensive and freeing hostages.

The two shook hands and Mr. Trump gave the press a thumbs-up when asked if a deal could be reached today.

Mr. Trump on Sunday struck an optimistic tone ahead of his meeting with Mr. Netanyahu, posting on Truth Social, “We have a real chance for greatness in the Middle East.”

“All are on board for something special. First time ever. We will get it done,” he wrote.

The president has offered his own plan for peace in the Middle East. It includes Hamas releasing up to 20 remaining living hostages within 48 hours, laying down arms forever and leaving the enclave. A transitional government and an Arab-led stabilization force would then take over the region, and Israeli troops would leave the battlefield.

However, several obstacles remain to Mr. Trump’s 21-point plan. Most importantly, Hamas has yet to agree with it, and the U.S.-designated terrorist group says it wants to see a formal copy of the proposal.

Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and if Israel lays down its weapons in Palestine.

Mr. Netanyahu met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in New York on Sunday to strike an agreement on key points.

The Israeli leader is feeling mounting pressure and global isolation as he continues the Israeli offensive in famine-stricken Gaza City. A host of Western allies are embracing Palestinian statehood in a sharp rebuke of Israel, and several world leaders walked out of Mr. Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations last week.

Mr. Trump is among those putting pressure on Israel over its actions in the Middle East, with the president warning the Jewish state that he would not allow it to annex the West Bank.

He has also expressed public frustration over the attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. That strike on senior Hamas leaders gathering to discuss a U.S. peace proposal in the country of a U.S. mediator appeared to derail negotiations.

Mr. Trump and Mr. Netanyahu will meet in the Oval Office and then hold a joint press conference.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.