Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free
Your guide to what Trumpâs second term means for Washington, business, and the world
Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope that a meeting with US President Donald Trump would lead to progress in securing the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. As he departed for Washington, tensions within his cabinet were on the rise over a potential ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
The Israeli Prime Minister dispatched a negotiating team to Doha in an effort to finalize a US-mediated agreement to cease hostilities for 60 days, release 28 Israeli captives, and initiate discussions towards a lasting resolution to the conflict. Despite rejecting Hamas’ recent demands as unacceptable, Netanyahu remained optimistic about the prospects of reaching a deal.
Speaking to reporters at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of the agreement under negotiation and expressed confidence that his meeting with President Trump could facilitate a positive outcome. This upcoming meeting will mark Netanyahu’s third visit to the White House since the beginning of Trump’s presidency, underscoring the close relationship between the two leaders.
Netanyahu also intended to express gratitude to Trump for his support in countering Iran, a shared adversary. As tensions with Iran continued to escalate, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Trump, for his part, indicated that progress was being made towards a deal in Gaza and suggested that an agreement could be reached in the coming week. He also hinted at discussions on Iran during his meeting with Netanyahu, hinting at the possibility of a permanent agreement with the Middle Eastern nation.
In addition to addressing the Gaza conflict and Iran, the leaders were expected to explore opportunities for enhancing diplomatic relations and security cooperation between Israel and neighboring Arab states like Saudi Arabia and Syria. Netanyahu highlighted the significant changes in the Middle East following the conflict with Iran, expressing optimism about further transformations in the region.
However, Netanyahu faced opposition from far-right factions within his coalition, who opposed a ceasefire and increased aid to Gaza. Despite growing pressure, the proposed agreement included provisions for humanitarian aid to Gaza and the initiation of negotiations towards a lasting ceasefire.
As the situation in Gaza remained tense, the international community looked towards Netanyahu and Trump for leadership in resolving the conflict and advancing peace in the region. Netanyahu’s steadfast stance on achieving a decisive victory over Hamas highlighted the challenges ahead in reaching a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Two criminals plotting the next war đ