US president set to host PM at White House next Monday, amid reports of progress toward a ceasefire, and signs that Netanyahu is, for the first time, ready to end the war. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will be “very firm” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the need to end the war in Gaza when the premier visits Washington next week.
Speaking to reporters, Trump also said that Netanyahu “wants it too,” referring to a hostage-ceasefire deal that would bring an end to the Gaza war. Earlier Tuesday, the president repeated his prediction that a ceasefire and hostage release deal would be reached shortly. “I think we’ll have a deal next week,” he said.
He also said he and Netanyahu will discuss Gaza and “the great success we had with Iran,” adding: “We want to get the hostages back.” The US president’s comments followed Netanyahu’s announcement on Monday that he will visit Washington, DC next week to meet with Trump.
The prime minister is set to take off for the US capital on Saturday and meet with Trump on Monday, July 7. On Tuesday, leading up to that trip, discussions took place in the Prime Minister’s Office over attempts to reach a hostage release deal with Hamas, with reports of some progress. “There is a positive dynamic and lively activity on the issue of negotiations,” a senior official told The Times of Israel. (Read More)
