Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Washington next Monday for a high-level meeting with US President Donald Trump, according to the news agency Associated Press. The discussions are expected to focus on negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage agreement in order to end the conflict.
The announcement comes after recently concluded discussions between Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and senior US officials in Washington this week. Talks reportedly centred around a potential ceasefire in Gaza and rising tensions with Iran.
Trump has shifted his attention towards brokering peace in the region, especially following a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Iran that took effect a week ago after 12 days of fighting. On Friday, Trump told reporters, “We think within the next week we’re going to get a ceasefire” in Gaza.
TRUMP CALLS FOR END TO GAZA CONFLICT
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed out that ending the war in Gaza remains a top priority for the Trump administration. “It’s heartbreaking to see the images that have come out from both Israel and Gaza throughout this war, and the president wants to see it end,” she said on Monday. “He wants to save lives.”
Leavitt also stated that the White House is working closely with Israeli leaders and trying to finalise the upcoming Washington meeting. “We are in constant communication with Israeli leadership,” she added, while noting that no formal date had been set until now.
Netanyahu last visited Washington in April, where he became the first foreign leader to discuss newly imposed tariffs by the Trump administration on Israeli exports. During that visit, the two leaders also spoke about resolving the hostage crisis and bringing the Gaza conflict to an end.
TRUMP SLAMS ISRAELI PROSECUTORS OVER NETANYAHU’S CORRUPTION TRIAL
Meanwhile, Trump has also recently criticised the ongoing legal proceedings against Netanyahu. In a post on social media, he claimed that the corruption trial was harming Netanyahu’s ability to lead negotiations. “It is terrible what they are doing in Israel to Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump wrote, describing the Israeli leader as “a War Hero, and a Prime Minister who did a fabulous job working with the United States to bring Great Success in getting rid of the dangerous Nuclear threat in Iran.”
“The travesty of ‘Justice’ will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations,” Trump wrote. “In other words, it is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu.”
In response, Netanyahu thanked Trump publicly on Sunday morning, saying, “Together, we will make the Middle East Great Again!”
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With inputs from AP