Netanyahu to Visit White House as Peace Talks With Hamas Continue
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is headed to the United States for talks on Monday with President Donald Trump.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department on Sunday outside of normal business hours by submission form.
Why It Matters
This marks the third visit Netanyahu will make to the White House since Trump returned to office, having previously visited in February and April, and the first visit since the U.S. and Israel bombed Iran in an effort to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran, however, has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, and retaliated against the U.S. and Israel.
Trump recently brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and now has turned his attention back to Gaza.
The Israeli prime minister's visit also occurs just after Hamas responded in "a positive spirit" to the latest U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan and was ready for further talks, which will take place in Doha, Qatar, as have much of the talks between the various parties throughout the conflict that started after Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, launched its surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed approximately 1,200 people. Israel's bombardment on Gaza since then has killed over 57,000, according to the Associated Press, citing local health officials.
The proposed ceasefire plan is also believed to include the staggered release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 other hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Some 50 hostages are held in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on April 7 in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on April 7 in Washington, D.C.What To Know
The visit has been in the works for over a week, with expectations that Trump and Netanyahu will discuss Iran's nuclear program, ending the war in Gaza and the Abraham Accords.
In an unusual move, the meeting is not formal talks but instead dinner at 6:30 p.m. ET. Previously, the two leaders have held talks in the Oval Office. Additionally, the meeting will be closed to reporters, according to Israeli outlet Haaretz.
Netanyahu told reporters at Ben-Gurion Airport when asked about a hostage deal that his team was "working to reach this deal under the terms we have agreed to," the Times of Israel reported. The prime minister added that he also believes "the discussion with President Trump can certainly help achieve" a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
Last month, Trump told reporters that "we think within the next week we're going to get a ceasefire" in Gaza without further explanation as to what that might entail or how he believes a deal can finally materialize. No such deal appeared, but that has not dimmed optimism.
The end of hostilities with Iran and the push for peace in Gaza has led Trump and Netanyahu to continue to expand the Abraham Accords and normalize relations between Israel and neighboring Arab states.
"Clearly we have changed the Middle East beyond recognition, and we have an opportunity to change it even further," Netanyahu said, according to The Financial Times.
Throughout his dealings on the issues of Gaza and Iran, Trump has also recently signaled that more countries in the region have expressed interest in establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, expanding on the 2020 Abraham Accords initiative through which the first Trump administration oversaw such a move taken by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
However, some members of Netanyahu's government oppose an end to hostilities until they wipe Hamas out completely, despite the war having lasted 21 months.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump last week wrote on Truth Social: "My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War. The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in part: "I am now departing with my wife on a very important visit to Washington to meet with [President Donald Trump]. This is my third visit with the President since he was elected over six months ago. I will also be meeting all senior officials of the US administration, senior members of Congress from both parties, and numerous other key figures."
Later, he wrote: "I am committed to the three missions together: Releasing and returning all our hostages, both the living and the deceased; eliminating the capabilities of Hamas – driving it out of there; and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel."
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