Donald Trump will meet with Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington DC on Monday as the U.S. president aims to facilitate negotiations for peace in Gaza, while the Israeli prime minister visits following a coordinated military operation against Iran and its allies in the region.
The relationship between Netanyahu and Trump has been complicated—Trump recently expressed dissatisfaction with him during discussions about a potential ceasefire with Iran—but the two have remained aligned since U.S. airstrikes targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, a key objective for Israeli military strategists.
Analysts suggest Netanyahu arrives in Washington in a strengthened political position, which could provide him with the necessary diplomatic support to conclude the war in Gaza without triggering a backlash from his conservative base that might destabilize his government.
Hamas recently reacted favorably to an Israeli proposal for a 60-day pause in fighting. However, its negotiators have pushed for assurances of a permanent end to hostilities and for aid distribution in Gaza to be overseen by the UN instead of the U.S. and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The latter has faced criticism after repeated incidents involving Israeli forces firing on civilians near aid distribution points, resulting in numerous casualties.
Israel has dismissed proposed modifications to the ceasefire terms but confirmed it will send negotiators to Qatar for indirect discussions with Hamas. Before departing for the U.S., Netanyahu stated that Israel has a chance “to expand the circle of peace far beyond previous expectations.”
According to Reuters, Netanyahu indicated that Israeli negotiators were directed to secure a ceasefire agreement under terms acceptable to Israel and suggested Trump could assist in reaching those goals. “We have already reshaped the Middle East dramatically, and we now have the opportunity to secure a brighter future for Israel and the region,” he said.
These will be the first negotiations in six weeks, and Trump has expressed optimism about the possibility of a ceasefire, saying, “There could be a Gaza deal next week,” during a conversation with reporters on Friday.
Prior to the meetings, Netanyahu’s senior advisor, Ron Dermer, consulted with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Washington. Sources indicate the discussions covered potential post-conflict arrangements, including efforts to remove Hamas from Gaza and assign the international community responsibility for reconstruction.
“We have no intention to remain in Gaza,” Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Damon, stated in response to a question from CuriosityNews.
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