Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travels to the United States to address the second stage of the truce agreement between Hamas in Gaza. Negotiations will begin Monday in Washington, D.C. It is the most critical step in ongoing efforts for peace.
As Netanyahu prepares to leave for the US, where he is set to meet with US President Donald Trump-who has credited himself with an initial ceasefire agreement signed on January 19, that meeting on Tuesday at the White House would be Trump’s first with a foreign leader since his inauguration.
Initial talks will be held with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, regarding the terms of the second phase. This phase is meant to free the remaining hostages and achieve a more lasting end to the war. The current ceasefire has stopped major violence in Gaza, where over 61,000 Palestinians have reportedly died.
The talks with Trump will center on victory over Hamas, achieving the release of all our hostages, and addressing the Iranian threat,” Netanyahu said. His visit is also noteworthy in that it follows the ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The commitment of both Netanyahu and Trump to advance the ceasefire remains uncertain, particularly as Netanyahu faces pressure from far-right allies to abandon the deal. Political analysts highlight the conflicting interests involved, noting that the release of captives hinges on the ceasefire’s next phase.
Discussions might also include the disputed settlements by Israel in the occupied West Bank, as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has pushed Netanyahu to consolidate Israel’s claims over these territories. This trip is a testament to the changes that US-Israel relations have witnessed under Trump, who portrays himself as a fervent supporter of Israel’s policies.
