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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in Washington Monday morning for a high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump, aiming to finalize a long-sought ceasefire deal to pause the near two-year-long conflict in Gaza.
The visit comes amid intensifying negotiations between Israeli officials and Hamas intermediaries and follows a weekend of heavy Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and military operations in Yemen targeting Iran-backed Houthi militants.
“We are working to achieve this deal that is being talked about,” Netanyahu told reporters before departing Tel Aviv. “President Trump can definitely help advance this outcome, which we all hope for.”
The Israeli leader also thanked Trump for his “recent support during our victory over our common enemy,” referring to the 12-day war with Iran, which left hundreds dead but ended in what Netanyahu described as a strategic win for Israel.
Trump, Netanyahu to Discuss Truce Terms at White House Dinner
Trump is expected to greet Netanyahu at the White House at 6:30 p.m. Monday, followed by a working dinner, according to a press release. Prior to the meeting, Netanyahu will sit down with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East.
“We are close to a deal in Gaza,” Trump told reporters Sunday in New Jersey, indicating hopes for a 60-day truce that has been backed by U.S. and international mediators.
A key sticking point remains: Hamas has demanded a permanent end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Netanyahu has insisted on the group’s surrender, disarmament, and exile — conditions Hamas has refused.
Meanwhile, Israeli negotiators traveled to Qatar on Sunday for indirect talks with Hamas. Netanyahu said they carried clear instructions to finalize a deal within the framework Israel has already accepted.
Gaza Toll Mounts as Ceasefire Hangs in Balance
Inside Gaza, at least 80 people were killed Sunday in renewed Israeli strikes, according to Dr. Marwan Al-Hams, head of field hospitals in the enclave. The death toll from Israel’s offensive has surpassed 56,000, with thousands more seriously wounded, local health officials said.
The war was triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 250 hostages taken.
Israel Expands Campaign Against Iran-Backed Houthis
Separately, Israel on Sunday launched fresh airstrikes in Yemen, targeting Houthi-controlled ports in Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Saif, as well as the hijacked commercial vessel Galaxy Leader.
An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson called the strikes part of “Operation Black Flag,” aimed at dismantling Houthi weapons pipelines linked to Iran.
“These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons of the Iranian regime,” the IDF said.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that “the fate of Yemen is the same as the fate of Tehran” if the Houthis continue threatening Israel and its allies.
Houthi officials downplayed the Israeli offensive, saying they had intercepted the attacks using locally made surface-to-air missiles.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Reemerges Amid Regional Tensions
The military escalations came just as Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public appearance since the end of the Iran-Israel war. On Saturday, Iranian state television broadcast images of him greeting worshippers at a mosque, signaling stability within the Iranian regime following the conflict.
As ceasefire talks intensify and regional tensions remain high, Netanyahu’s visit to Washington — and his face-to-face with Trump — may determine whether peace gains traction or the war continues into its third year.
