Trump to Press Netanyahu for Gaza Ceasefire in High-Stakes White House Meeting
U.S. President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, urging him to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza as part of a broader push to end the nearly two-year-long war with Hamas.
The meeting comes amid growing international pressure to halt the violence that has devastated the Palestinian enclave since 7 October, 2023.
Trump, seeking to capitalize on recent diplomatic gains—including a truce between Israel and Iran—has vowed to take a firmer line with Netanyahu in pursuit of a deal.
“There could be a Gaza deal next week,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday.
While describing himself as “very optimistic,” he cautioned that negotiations remain fluid. “It changes from day to day. It’s been changing for years.”
According to Trump, Israel has agreed to a 60-day pause in hostilities, while Hamas has shown openness to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal.
However, finalizing an agreement remains a complex challenge, with Netanyahu continuing to insist that Israel will not stop its military campaign until Hamas is decisively defeated.
This will be Netanyahu’s third White House visit since Trump returned to office in January.
The two leaders worked closely during the recent Israel-Iran conflict, which saw the U.S. launch coordinated airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Washington claimed the strikes severely set back Tehran’s atomic ambitions—an assertion Iran disputes.
Yet Gaza presents a more immediate and politically fraught dilemma.
Trump, who has hinted at aspirations for a Nobel Peace Prize, appears increasingly concerned by the mounting civilian toll.
“We have to get it over with. We have to do something about Gaza,” he said Friday.
Shift in Tone
While Trump previously floated a controversial proposal for U.S. administration of post-war Gaza, that idea has largely faded.
Now, the president is focusing on humanitarian concerns and the release of Israeli hostages still held in the territory.
“I want the people of Gaza to be safe, more importantly,” Trump said earlier this week. “They’ve been through hell.”
He met with Edan Alexander, a former hostage recently freed by Hamas, at the White House on Thursday, highlighting ongoing U.S. efforts to secure the release of remaining captives.
Trump is hoping to revive stalled diplomacy after two previous ceasefires—brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S.—temporarily paused fighting but collapsed shortly afterward.
Geopolitical analysts suggest that Monday’s meeting could be pivotal.
“We’re likely to see strategic negotiations in Trump’s signature ‘grand bargain’ style,” said Michael Horowitz, an independent analyst.
“Even Netanyahu recognizes that the military operation in Gaza is reaching its limits, and an exit plan is needed—albeit on his own terms.”
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