Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday. They will discuss key issues, including “victory over Hamas,” countering Iran’s influence, and strengthening diplomatic ties with Arab nations. This will be Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since resuming office.
The meeting comes as US and Arab mediators work to negotiate the next phase of the ceasefire agreement. This will focus on de-escalating the conflict in Gaza and securing the release of hostages held by militants.
Ceasefire and hostage negotiations
Hamas has regained control of Gaza since the ceasefire took effect last month. The group has stated it will not release the hostages in the second phase unless Israel ends the war and withdraws its forces. This has complicated negotiations.
Netanyahu faces pressure from far-right coalition partners to resume military action after the first phase ends in early March. He has reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to defeating Hamas and securing the return of all hostages. It is unclear where Trump stands on these issues, though he has been a strong supporter of Israel.
Diplomatic efforts and regional tensions
Ahead of his departure, Netanyahu emphasised that the meeting with Trump will focus on strengthening security, promoting peace, and addressing Iranian-backed militant groups, including Hamas. Netanyahu also stressed that cooperation between Israel and the US could broaden peace in the region.
Trump, who brokered normalisation agreements between Israel and several Arab countries, aims for a broader deal. This could lead to formal ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, Saudi Arabia has said it will only agree to such a deal if the war ends and there is a clear path to Palestinian statehood. This complicates the situation, as Netanyahu’s government opposes Palestinian statehood.
Internal political tensions also play a role. Some far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition have threatened to leave the government if the war is not resumed. This could lead to early elections.
Netanyahu and continued violence in the West Bank
While the ceasefire holds in Gaza, Israel has stepped up military operations in the West Bank. Israeli forces recently expanded operations in Jenin and Tamun. These actions have resulted in casualties, including a 73-year-old man killed by Israeli troops.
The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since the war began. Israel has carried out daily arrest raids, and settler violence against Palestinians has risen. Tensions continue to mount in the region.
